A nurse has informed the laboratory technician that a patient's gentamicin has finished infusing and the technician will soon draw a blood sample to determine the patient's serum drug concentration. Why is assessment of gentamicin levels necessary?
A) To identify possible changes in the patient's serum osmolality
B) To identify whether the drug is at a therapeutic level
C) To identify whether the drug is causing hepatotoxicity
D) To identify possible hemolysis following administration
B
Feedback:
Measurement of both peak and trough levels of gentamicin helps maintain therapeutic serum levels without excessive toxicity. Gentamicin is nephrotoxic, not hepatotoxic. Hematological changes are not assessed by measuring serum drug levels.
You might also like to view...
The subjective data the nurse records following a head-to-toe examination includes:
a. rash on back. b. prolonged nausea. c. blood pressure of 190/100. d. white blood cell count of 19,000.
What is the best example of normal memory change or lapse of memory?
a. Relying on another person to remember names or important events b. Occasional forgetfulness or inability to recall names or facts c. Difficulty in recalling recent events d. Difficulty in recalling past events
The nurse is caring for an older patient with hypothyroidism. Which manifestations would the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.
1. Dry skin 2. Weight loss 3. Vomiting 4. Bradycardia 5. Periorbital swelling
The nurse is assessing an older adult male patient who has enlarged mammary glands. Which term will the nurse use when documenting this finding?
1) Nocturia 2) Gynecomastia 3) Arcus senilis 4) Ectropion