The nurse is reviewing her hospitalized client's medications and sees that he is on both a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside. The nurse knows that this combination of antibiotics increases the client's risk for:

A. Respiratory Function: Monitoring respiratory function is important for conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It involves assessing lung sounds, oxygen saturation levels, and breathing patterns. This monitoring is essential to detect any signs of respiratory distress.

B. Cardiac Function: Monitoring cardiac function includes assessing heart rate, blood pressure, and rhythm. It's crucial for patients with heart conditions like heart failure or arrhythmias. This monitoring helps in identifying irregularities in heart function and provides insights into the overall cardiovascular health of the patient.

C. Renal Function: Monitoring renal function involves assessing kidney health, which includes tests like serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This is vital for patients with kidney diseases or those taking medications that can impact kidney function. Monitoring renal function helps in detecting any signs of kidney impairment or failure.

D. Liver Function: Monitoring liver function involves tests like liver enzymes (AST, ALT), bilirubin levels, and albumin levels. This is essential for patients taking medications that can affect the liver, such as certain antifungals, statins, or pain relievers. Monitoring liver function helps in identifying liver damage or dysfunction early on.

A. "This drug has a longer duration of action than some of the other antibiotics."
Explanation: Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, has a longer half-life in the body compared to some other antibiotics. Half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. A longer half-life means the drug remains effective for a longer duration, allowing for less frequent dosing.

B. "This is a much more effective drug than what you received previously."
Explanation: While azithromycin is effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, it's not accurate to say it's universally more effective than other antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic depends on the specific type of infection and the susceptibility of the bacteria causing it. Effectiveness varies based on the context of use.

C. "I'll call the pharmacy and ask about the chemical makeup of the drug."
Explanation: While understanding the chemical makeup of drugs is important for healthcare professionals, it might not directly answer the patient's question about the dosing frequency. Explaining the drug's pharmacological properties, such as its duration of action, would provide a more relevant and understandable response to the patient's query.

D. "You'll need to ask your healthcare provider questions like that."
Explanation: This response does not provide the patient with the information they seek. Nurses are valuable resources for medication-related questions and should strive to provide accurate and understandable explanations to patients.