Before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, which laboratory value is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to review?
Serum calcium
Serum creatinine
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
White blood cell count (WBC)
The Correct Answer is B
Serum creatinine is the most important laboratory value to review before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxicity is an alteration in the function of the kidney due to exposure to certain drugs or toxins.
It can be assessed by measuring the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is the rate of clearance of a substance from the blood by the kidneys. Serum creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is freely filtered by the glomeruli and not reabsorbed or secreted by the tubules.
Therefore, it is a reliable indicator of GFR and renal function. An increase in serum creatinine indicates a decrease in GFR and renal function, which may be caused by nephrotoxic drugs.
The other laboratory values are not directly related to nephrotoxicity or GFR:
- Serum calcium: This may be affected by renal function, but it is not a sensitive or specific marker of nephrotoxicity. It may be altered by other factors such as vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and bone metabolism.
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit: These may be affected by renal function, but they are not sensitive or specific markers of nephrotoxicity. They may reflect the erythropoietin production by the kidneys, which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. However, they may also be influenced by other factors such as blood loss, hydration status, and iron deficiency.
- White blood cell count (WBC): This is not related to nephrotoxicity or GFR. It may reflect the presence of infection or inflammation, which may be a cause or a consequence of renal impairment, but it is not a direct measure of renal function.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer and explanation is:
a) Health care proxy documentation.
This is the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Health care proxy documentation is a legal document that appoints a person to make health care decisions for the client when they are unable to do so themselves. It is important to have this information in case the client's condition deteriorates and they need end-of-life care.
b) Name of funeral home to contact.
This is not the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Name of funeral home to contact is a personal preference that may or may not be relevant for the client at this point. It is not a priority for the admission assessment, and it may be insensitive or inappropriate to ask the client about it.
c) Client's wishes regarding organ donation.
This is not the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Client's wishes regarding organ donation are a personal choice that may or may not be applicable for the client depending on their diagnosis, prognosis, and eligibility. It is not a priority for the admission assessment, and it may be offensive or upsetting to ask the client about it.
d) Contact information for the client's next of kin.
This is not the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Contact information for the client's next of kin is a general demographic data that may or may not be relevant for the client's care. It is not a priority for the admission assessment, and it may be already available in the client's records.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Assessment of tobacco use geared toward adolescents is an important topic, but it may not directly address the immediate concerns related to the increase in suicides in the community. While substance abuse can be a risk factor for mental health issues, focusing on stress self-management techniques may be more relevant in this context as it can help adolescents cope with various stressors and emotions that could contribute to suicidal thoughts.
Choice C rationale:
Showing statistics on suicide rates may be informative but may not be the most engaging and effective approach to teaching adolescents about mental health. Statistics alone may not provide them with practical tools and strategies to manage their mental well-being.
Choice D rationale:
Providing handouts for local substance abuse treatment centers is important if substance abuse is a concern, but it may not address the broader issue of mental health and suicide prevention. The primary focus should be on teaching adolescents how to manage stress and emotions in a healthy way, as this can be a preventive measure for various mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts.
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