The nurse is caring for a patient who is HIV positive and has a previous history of drug and alcohol abuse
The patient is being treated with combination therapies, including didanosine (Videx). Which laboratory findings would most concern the nurse?
a. Increased serum amylase triglycerides and decreased serum calcium
b. Decreased serum amylase and serum triglycerides and increased serum calcium
c. Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit
d. Increased serum amylase, decreased triglycerides, and increased platelets
ANS: A
The nurse should be concerned about increased serum amylase triglycerides and a decreased serum calcium, which are symptoms of pancreatitis, the major adverse effect of didanosine.
These other laboratory test results and assessment findings are not consistent with pancreatitis and are not a concern for the nurse.
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