A patient has been receiving an antibiotic with a narrow therapeutic index for 10 days. Upon assessment, the nurse suspects that the patient may be experiencing toxicity. The nurse's priority action would be to
a. call the prescriber and have the antibiotic changed.
b. suspect an allergic reaction and administer a prn antihistamine.
c. ask the prescriber to order a plasma drug level.
d. set up oxygen and obtain an order for an antagonist.
ANS: C
A drug with a narrow therapeutic index indicates that a drug is relatively unsafe and should be monitored closely. The nurse should have a blood level drawn to confirm suspicions of toxicity.
The nurse would not have the antibiotic changed, because there is no cause at this time.
The patient is unlikely to be experiencing an allergic reaction, because the antibiotic has been in the system for 10 days.
There is no indication that the patient is anaphylactic, therefore oxygen and an antagonist are not indicated.
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