A nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin) for 6 weeks. Upon review of the laboratory results, the nurse notes that the patient's phenytoin level is 18 mcg/mL. What is the nurse's best action?
a. This drug level is subtherapeutic; the nurse should contact the prescriber for a dose increase.
b. This drug level is in the therapeutic range, therefore no nursing action is required.
c. The nurse should review the patient's other medications to determine whether another drug is potentiating the effects of the phenytoin.
d. This drug level is too high; the nurse should contact the prescriber about reducing the dose.
B
The target serum level for phenytoin is 10 to 20 mcg/mL; this level is well within the normal therapeutic range.
The drug level is not subtherapeutic, therefore contacting the prescriber is not necessary.
There is no need to review the patient's medications, because the serum drug level is in the the-rapeutic range.
The drug level is within normal limits.
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