The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, for mild pain. Which laboratory test result should the nurse monitor closely in this client?
Serum creatinine
Serum potassium
Serum albumin
Serum bilirubin.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Serum bilirubin. The nurse should monitor the client’s serum bilirubin level closely because acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, can cause hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure in cases of overdose.
Serum bilirubin is a marker of liver function and damage.
A high level of serum bilirubin indicates jaundice, a sign of liver injury.
Choice A is wrong because serum creatinine is a marker of kidney function and damage. Acetaminophen has limited nephrotoxicity compared to NSAIDs.
Choice B is wrong because serum potassium is not directly affected by acetaminophen.
Serum potassium is an electrolyte that reflects fluid and acid-base balance in the body.
Choice C is wrong because serum albumin is a protein that is synthesized by the liver.
Although serum albumin may be low in chronic liver disease, it is not a sensitive indicator of acute liver injury caused by acetaminophen overdose.
Normal ranges for serum bilirubin are 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL for adults and 1 to 12 mg/dL for newborns.
Normal ranges for serum creatinine are 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men and 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women.
Normal ranges for serum potassium are 3.5 to 5 mEq/L for adults and children.
Normal ranges for serum albumin are 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL for adults and children.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C.The patient should remove the old patch before applying a new one to avoid overdose and adverse effects of fentanyl.Fentanyl patches are designed to deliver a constant amount of opioid analgesic over a period of time, usually 72 hours.
Therefore, changing the patch every other day (choice A) would result in inadequate pain relief and withdrawal symptoms.
Applying the patch to a hairy area (choice B) would interfere with the absorption of the drug and reduce its effectiveness.
Cutting the patch in half (choice D) would damage the integrity of the patch and cause erratic or rapid release of the drug, which could be fatal.Fentanyl patches should be applied to a clean, dry, hairless area of intact skin on the upper torso or upper arm.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. The client reports a pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.This indicates that the PCA pump is effective in reducing the client’s pain, which is the primary symptom of sickle cell crisis.
Choice B is wrong because a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute is normal and does not indicate the effectiveness of the PCA pump.
Choice C is wrong because a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is high and may indicate hypertension, which is a complication of sickle cell disease.
Choice D is wrong because a pulse oximetry reading of 95% is normal and does not indicate the effectiveness of the PCA pump.
Normal ranges for vital signs are:
• Respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
• Blood pressure: <120/80 mm Hg
• Pulse oximetry: >95%
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