A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a female client who is taking zidovudine to treat HIV. Which of the following should the nurse identify as an adverse finding associated with this medication?
Neutrophil count 650/mm³ (2,500 to 8,000/mm³).
Platelets 450,000/mm³ (150,000 to 400,000/mm³).
Hgb 17 g/dL (12 to 16 g/dL).
Creatinine 1.5 mg/dL (0.5 to 1 mg/dL).
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
A neutrophil count of 650/mm³ is significantly lower than the normal range (2,500 to 8,000/mm³) and indicates neutropenia, which is a known adverse effect of zidovudine. Neutropenia increases the risk of infections and requires close monitoring and potential dose adjustment or discontinuation of the medication.
Choice B rationale
A platelet count of 450,000/mm³ is slightly above the normal range (150,000 to 400,000/mm³) but is not typically associated with zidovudine toxicity. Zidovudine is more commonly associated with bone marrow suppression leading to anemia and neutropenia rather than thrombocytosis.
Choice C rationale
An Hgb level of 17 g/dL is above the normal range for females (12 to 16 g/dL) but is not a common adverse effect of zidovudine. Zidovudine is more likely to cause anemia, leading to lower hemoglobin levels rather than elevated levels.
Choice D rationale
A creatinine level of 1.5 mg/dL is within the upper limit of the normal range (0.5 to 1 mg/dL) and is not a typical adverse effect of zidovudine. Zidovudine primarily affects the bone marrow and does not have a significant impact on renal function.
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Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Prednisone, a corticosteroid, can cause hypokalemia by increasing renal potassium excretion.
Choice B rationale
Torsemide, a loop diuretic, can lead to hypokalemia by promoting potassium loss through urine.
Choice C rationale
Polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat hyperkalemia, but it can cause hypokalemia as it removes potassium from the body.
Choice D rationale
A client taking spironolactone does not require monitoring for hypokalemia because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It helps the body retain potassium, so it is more likely to cause hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) than hypokalemia.
Choice E rationale
Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, can cause hypokalemia by increasing potassium excretion in the urine.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Contacting the provider is essential to inform them of the error and receive further instructions on managing the client’s condition.
Choice B rationale
Reporting the error to the charge nurse is necessary for proper documentation and to ensure that corrective actions are taken to prevent future errors.
Choice C rationale
Incident reports should not be placed in the client’s chart. They are for internal use to improve safety and quality of care.
Choice D rationale
Auscultating the client’s lungs is important to check for signs of fluid overload, such as crackles or wheezing.
Choice E rationale
Checking for peripheral edema helps assess the extent of fluid overload and its impact on the client’s condition.