The nurse checks the patient’s laboratory work prior to administering a dose of vancomycin and finds that the trough vancomycin level is 24 mcg/mL. What will the nurse do next?

Hold the drug, and administer 4 hours later.

Administer the vancomycin as ordered.

Hold the drug, and notify the prescriber.

Repeat the test to verify results.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Holding the drug and administering it 4 hours later is not the appropriate action. The trough vancomycin level of 24 mcg/mL is higher than the recommended range of 10-20 mcg/mL, indicating potential risk for toxicity. Administering the drug later does not address the immediate concern of a high trough level.

Choice B rationale:

Administering the vancomycin as ordered is not the correct action in this case. The trough level is above the recommended range, which could lead to vancomycin toxicity. The nurse should not administer the medication without addressing the high trough level. Choice C rationale:

This is the correct action. The nurse should hold the drug and notify the prescriber because the trough vancomycin level is higher than the recommended range. The prescriber can then make a decision based on this information, which may include adjusting the dose, extending the dosing interval, or ordering additional tests.

Choice D rationale:

While repeating the test to verify results might be done eventually, it should not be the immediate next step. The nurse has a responsibility to ensure patient safety, and with a trough level above the recommended range, the priority is to prevent potential toxicity. Therefore, the nurse should hold the drug and notify the prescriber.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Blood glucose levels are not typically affected by rifampin and pyrazinamide. These medications are primarily used to treat tuberculosis and do not have a direct impact on blood sugar levels.

Choice B rationale:

Thyroid function studies are not usually required when a patient is on rifampin and pyrazinamide. These medications do not typically affect the thyroid gland or its function.

Choice C rationale:

Liver function tests are crucial when a patient is on rifampin and pyrazinamide. Both of these medications can cause liver problems, including hepatitis. Therefore, regular monitoring of liver function is necessary to detect any potential damage early and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

Choice D rationale:

Gallbladder studies are not typically required for patients on rifampin and pyrazinamide. These medications do not have a known direct impact on the gallbladder.

A. Bone marrow suppression B. Retinitis C. Renal toxicity D. Hepatotoxicity

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Zidovudine, also known as AZT, is a medication used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. One of the major dose-limiting toxic effects of Zidovudine is hematologic toxicity, which manifests clinically as anemia, neutropenia, and sometimes as platelet deficits with onset after several weeks of treatment. This hematologic toxicity is essentially a form of bone marrow suppression. Therefore, bone marrow suppression is the dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine therapy.

Choice B rationale:

Retinitis is not a known dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine. While zidovudine has a range of side effects, retinitis is not commonly associated with its use.

Choice C rationale:

Renal toxicity is not a known dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine. While zidovudine can have various side effects, renal toxicity is not typically one of them.

Choice D rationale:

Hepatotoxicity is not the dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine. While severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of zidovudine, it is not considered the dose-limiting adverse effect. The dose-limiting adverse effect is more specifically related to hematologic toxicity, which includes bone marrow suppression.

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The nurse checks the patient’s laboratory work prior to administering a dose of vancomycin and finds that the trough vancomycin level is 24 mcg/mL. What will the nurse do next?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has tuberculosis and new prescriptions for rifampin and pyrazinamide. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse instruct the client will be required while on this medication regimen?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient who is HIV-positive has been receiving medication therapy that includes zidovudine. The prescriber has decided to stop the zidovudine due to its dose-limiting adverse effect. Which of these conditions is the dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine therapy?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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