The parents of a one-year-old child with the diagnosis of hypospadias informed the practical nurse (PN) that they plan to delay corrective surgery to see if the child will outgrow the problem. Which information should the PN provide to these parents?

Choice A rationale:

An elevated serum creatinine level can indicate kidney dysfunction or damage, which can be a possible adverse effect of amoxicillin-clavulanate. The kidneys are responsible for excreting the medication, and elevated creatinine levels suggest impaired renal function.

Choice B rationale:

An elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is indicative of liver dysfunction or damage. Amoxicillin-clavulanate can sometimes cause hepatotoxicity as a side effect, and elevated ALT levels may suggest this adverse effect.

Choice D rationale:

An elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) can be a possible adverse effect of amoxicillin-clavulanate, indicating an increase in the body's immune response. This could be due to an allergic reaction or other adverse reactions to the medication.

Choice C rationale:

An elevated serum potassium level is not typically associated with amoxicillin-clavulanate use. This finding is more likely related to other factors such as kidney dysfunction or certain medications like potassium-sparing diuretics.

Choice E rationale:

An elevated platelet count is not typically associated with amoxicillin-clavulanate use. This finding is more likely related to other factors, such as a bone marrow disorder or inflammation.

Choice A rationale:

Increasing the supplemental oxygen to 15 L/min via nasal cannula may seem like a logical step given the client’s low oxygen saturation. However, it’s important to note that oxygen therapy should be titrated carefully. Too much oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause cellular damage and worsen the client’s condition. Therefore, this is not the priority action.

Choice B rationale:

Notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the priority action. The client’s oxygen saturation is 88% on room air, which is below the normal range of 95% to 100%. This indicates that the client is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to hypoxia and other serious complications. The health care provider needs to be informed immediately so that appropriate interventions can be initiated.

Choice C rationale:

Administering ibuprofen as ordered for fever is important, but it’s not the priority in this situation. While fever can indicate an infection, which could be contributing to the client’s low oxygen saturation, addressing the immediate issue of hypoxia is more critical.

Choice D rationale:

Obtaining a sputum culture from the client could provide valuable information about the type of bacteria causing the pneumonia and guide antibiotic therapy. However, this is not an immediate priority compared to addressing the client’s low oxygen saturation. In summary, while all these actions are important in caring for a client with pneumonia, the nurse must prioritize interventions based on their urgency and potential impact on the client’s health status. In this case, notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the most critical action.