A patient who has been receiving intravenous gentamicin for several days reports having had a headache for 2 days. The nurse will request an order to:
a. obtain a gentamicin trough before the next dose is given.
b. give an analgesic to control headache discomfort.
c. reduce the dose of the gentamicin to minimize side effects.
d. obtain renal function tests to evaluate for potential nephrotoxicity.
ANS: A
A headache may be a sign of developing ototoxicity, so a gentamicin trough should be obtained before the next dose is given. Analgesics are not indicated until a serious cause of the headache has been ruled out. Reducing the dose without first knowing the level would not be indicated. A headache is an early sign of ototoxicity, not nephrotoxicity.
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