The nurse is preparing to educate a patient who has just been prescribed a sulfonamide.
Which statements should be included in the teaching plan?

Choice A rationale:

Sodium levels in the blood are typically between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). A sodium level of 140 mEq/L falls within this range, indicating normal sodium levels. Sodium plays a key role in your body. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of your nerves and muscles, and regulates your body’s fluid balance. A normal sodium level is therefore crucial for the body’s overall function.

Choice B rationale:

A glucose level of 120 mg/dL is considered normal for a fasting blood sugar test. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy. It comes from the food you eat and is carried through your bloodstream to the cells of your body. If the glucose level in the blood is too high or too low, it can indicate a medical condition such as diabetes.

Choice C rationale:

Potassium levels in the blood are typically between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L falls within this range, indicating normal potassium levels. Potassium is a type of electrolyte that is vital to the function of nerve and muscle cells, including those in your heart. Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Having a blood potassium level higher than 6.0 mmol/L can be dangerous and usually requires immediate treatment.

Choice D rationale:

The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test is a routine test used to assess kidney function. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that’s created in your liver when the body breaks down proteins. Healthy kidneys filter urea nitrogen from your blood, but when your kidneys aren’t working well, the BUN level rises. The normal range for BUN is typically around 7-20 mg/dL2. A BUN level of 55 mg/dL is significantly higher than the normal range, indicating that the kidneys may not be functioning properly. This is a critical finding that should be reported to the provider before initiating the medication amphotericin B. Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used to treat serious, life-threatening fungal infections. However, it is known for its severe and potentially lethal side effects, including kidney damage. Therefore, a high BUN level should be reported to the provider before initiating this medication.

Step 1: Identify the given values. The nurse needs to administer 2.5 mg of hydromorphone. The available amount is 5 mg/5 mL.

Step 2: Set up the calculation. We need to find out how many mL correspond to 2.5 mg. We can set up a proportion using the given values:

5 mL5 mg=x mL2.5 mg

Step 3: Solve for x. Cross-multiply and solve for x:

5 mg×x mL=2.5 mg×5 mL

Step 4: Simplify the equation:

x=5 mg.5 mg×5 mL

Step 5: Calculate the value of x:

x=2.5 mL

So, the nurse should administer 2.5 mL of the hydromorphone elixir.