Question: A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client receiving tacrolimus (Prograf). Which laboratory result would indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
1. Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
2. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
3. Platelet count of 300,000 cells/mm3
4. White blood cell count of 6000 cells/mm3
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL is significantly elevated above the normal range of 70 to 110 mg/dL and suggests an adverse reaction. Other adverse reactions include neurotoxicity evidenced by headache, tremor, and insomnia; gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; hypertension; and hyperkalemia.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination, noting that options 2, 3, and 4 represent normal values. Option 1 is the only abnormal value, reflecting an elevation. Review the adverse effects related to this medication and normal laboratory values if you had difficulty with this question.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Analysis
Content Area: Pharmacology
References: Ignatavicius, D., & Workman, M. (2010). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered collaborative care (6th ed., p. 1498). St. Louis: Saunders.
Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed., p. 816). St. Louis: Saunders.
This week’s NCLEX exam practice question came from:
Silvestri: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, 5th Edition, Chapter 63, Page 894, question 764
No comments:
Post a Comment