The primary health care provider instructs the nurse to obtain the patient’s pain level every four hours. Which actions by the nurse help facilitate the pain assessment? Select all that apply.

The correct answer is choice A. Serum calcium.Etidronate is a bisphosphonate that inhibits bone resorption and reduces the risk of skeletal complications in patients with cancer-related bone pain.However, it can also cause hypocalcemia (low serum calcium levels) as a side effect, which can lead to muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient’s serum calcium levels regularly and supplement with calcium and vitamin D if needed.

Choice B. Serum potassium is wrong because etidronate does not affect potassium levels.Potassium is mainly regulated by the kidneys and can be altered by renal impairment, dehydration, acid-base imbalance, or medications such as diuretics or potassium-sparing agents.

Choice C. Serum creatinine is wrong because etidronate does not affect creatinine levels.

Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is excreted by the kidneys.It reflects the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and can be elevated in renal dysfunction or dehydration.

Choice D. Serum albumin is wrong because etidronate does not affect albumin levels.

Albumin is a protein that is synthesized by the liver and helps maintain fluid balance and transport substances in the blood.It can be decreased in liver disease, malnutrition, inflammation, or protein-losing conditions.

The correct answer is choice A. Hepatic necrosis.Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common cause of drug-induced liver injury and can lead to hepatic necrosis, especially in patients who have chronic hepatitis C.APAP is metabolized by the liver and produces a toxic intermediate called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which can deplete glutathione and damage hepatocytes.Patients who have chronic hepatitis C may have reduced glutathione levels and increased oxidative stress, making them more susceptible to APAP toxicity.

Choice B. Pulmonary fibrosis is wrong because APAP does not cause pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease that involves scarring of the lung tissue and impaired gas exchange.Some drugs that can cause pulmonary fibrosis are amiodarone, bleomycin, methotrexate and nitrofurantoin.

Choice C. Pancreatitis is wrong because APAP does not cause pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can result from gallstones, alcohol abuse, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, infections, trauma or certain medications.

Some drugs that can cause pancreatitis are azathioprine, valproic acid, didanosine and pentamidine.

Choice D. Cardiac dysrhythmias is wrong because APAP does not cause cardiac dysrhythmias.

Cardiac dysrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can result from electrolyte imbalances, ischemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, congenital defects or certain medications.

Some drugs that can cause cardiac dysrhythmias are digoxin, quinidine, sotalol and erythromycin.