After administering oral doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that the client's total calcium level is 14 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement?

Choice A reason: This is not the best assessment for the nurse to use to evaluate the client's therapeutic response to lactulose. Stool color and character may change as a result of lactulose administration, as it is a laxative that lowers the pH of the colon and promotes the excretion of ammonia. However, these changes are not indicative of the effectiveness of lactulose in reducing the ammonia levels in the blood, which is the main goal of the therapy.

Choice B reason: This is the best assessment for the nurse to use to evaluate the client's therapeutic response to lactulose. Serum electrolytes and ammonia are directly affected by lactulose administration, as it lowers the blood ammonia levels by converting it to ammonium and facilitating its elimination in the stool. The nurse should monitor the serum electrolytes and ammonia levels regularly to assess the efficacy and safety of lactulose therapy, as well as to adjust the dosage as needed.

Choice C reason: This is not the best assessment for the nurse to use to evaluate the client's therapeutic response to lactulose. Serum hepatic enzymes are markers of liver function and damage, and they may be elevated in clients with hepatic encephalopathy due to cirrhosis or other liver disorders. However, lactulose does not affect the hepatic enzymes directly, and it does not reverse the underlying liver disease. The nurse should monitor the serum hepatic enzymes to assess the progression and severity of the liver condition, but not to evaluate the response to lactulose.

Choice D reason: This is not the best assessment for the nurse to use to evaluate the client's therapeutic response to lactulose. Fingerstick glucose is a measure of blood glucose levels, and it may be altered in clients with hepatic encephalopathy due to impaired glucose metabolism by the liver. However, lactulose does not affect the blood glucose levels directly, and it does not improve the liver's ability to regulate glucose. The nurse should monitor the fingerstick glucose to assess the risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, but not to evaluate the response to lactulose.

Choice A reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. When using the discus, the client should breathe out slowly and gently away from the mouthpiece, not into it. Breathing out rapidly into the mouthpiece can cause the powder to disperse and reduce the amount of medication delivered to the lungs. The client should also rinse the mouthpiece with water after each use and dry it thoroughly.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. The discus is not intended for use during an acute asthma attack, as it does not provide immediate relief of bronchospasm. The discus is a combination of fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the airway muscles. The discus is a maintenance therapy that should be used regularly to prevent asthma symptoms and exacerbations. The client should also have a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, for quick relief of asthma attacks.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. Clients using the discus may experience increased blood pressure, not decreased, as a possible side effect of salmeterol. Salmeterol can stimulate the beta receptors in the heart and blood vessels, causing tachycardia, palpitations, and hypertension. The nurse should monitor the client's blood pressure and heart rate regularly and report any abnormal findings to the healthcare provider.

Choice D reason: This is the correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. The discus should not be used more than twice daily, as it can increase the risk of adverse effects and reduce the effectiveness of the medication. The discus should be used once in the morning and once in the evening, about 12 hours apart, to provide optimal control of asthma symptoms. The nurse should teach the client and the caregivers how to use the discus correctly and safely, and to follow the prescribed dosage and schedule.