A 91-year-old man is being treated for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with pentamidine (NebuPent). What should the nurse measure when assessing this patient for adverse effects of the medication?
A) Liver function tests
B) Serum potassium
C) Daily blood pressure
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
A
Feedback:
Patients receiving antiprotozoal agents should be monitored regularly to detect any serious adverse effects. Liver function tests are of particular importance to determine the appropriateness of therapy and to monitor for toxicity. Serum potassium, BUN, and creatinine would indicate kidney damage, which is not normally a risk with this drug. Blood pressure is not indicated for this medication but is an early indicator of health deterioration and is usually included in all provisions of care.
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