Exhibits

The provider would like the client to continue with the captopril dose and restart the spironolactone. The provider wants the client to return to the clinic in 6 weeks with lab work done.

What 2 labs would be most appropriate for this client to complete on their return visit?

Choice A rationale; Family history of mental illness is important information to consider when assessing the client's overall mental health history, but it is not directly related to the immediate safety and effectiveness of duloxetine.

Choice B rationale: Weight change in the last month is relevant to monitoring for side effects of duloxetine, but it is not as critical as assessing liver function, which directly impacts the metabolism of the medication.

Choice C rationale: When planning care for a client starting on duloxetine, it is most important for the nurse to obtain liver function laboratory results. Duloxetine is primarily metabolized in the liver, and it is important to assess the client's liver function before starting the medication to ensure that the liver can process the drug effectively and safely. Clients with impaired liver function may require dose adjustments or be at higher risk for adverse effects, so obtaining liver function test results is crucial for safe medication management.

Choice D rationale: Recent use of other antidepressants is essential to avoid potential drug interactions, but it is not the most critical piece of information compared to assessing liver function, which directly affects the client's ability to process duloxetine.

a) Assess the client for side effects of carbamazepine:

• This option might seem reasonable as monitoring for side effects is essential with any medication, especially one with a narrow therapeutic range like carbamazepine. However, the client's level of 8.4 mcg/L is within the therapeutic range (4 to 12 mcg/mL), so there's no immediate indication that side effects are likely to occur solely based on this level.

b) Notify the healthcare provider of the carbamazepine level:

• While it's important to keep the healthcare provider informed about the client's condition, in this case, the carbamazepine level is within the therapeutic range. There's no urgent need to notify the provider unless there are other concerning factors not mentioned in the scenario.

c) Administer the carbamazepine as prescribed:

• This is the correct answer. The client's morning carbamazepine level of 8.4 mcg/L falls within the therapeutic range (4 to 12 mcg/mL). Therefore, the evening dose should be administered as prescribed to maintain therapeutic levels and control the client's condition.

d) Withhold this dose of the carbamazepine:

• Withholding the dose based solely on the morning carbamazepine level of 8.4 mcg/L, which is within the therapeutic range, would not be appropriate. Withholding the dose without consulting the healthcare provider could potentially lead to suboptimal management of the client's condition.