A client with AIDS has an order to start Amphotericin B. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A. Administer the drug as an IV piggyback with another drug.: Amphotericin B should never be mixed or administered with other medications in the same IV line because it is incompatible with many drugs. Doing so could lead to precipitation or reduced drug potency. B. Check the client's serum calcium levels.: While electrolyte monitoring is important during therapy, amphotericin B primarily causes hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia rather than significant calcium changes. Checking calcium is not the immediate priority. C. Administer a test dose of 1 mg, over 30 minutes.: Amphotericin B is highly nephrotoxic and can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions such as fever, chills, hypotension, or anaphylaxis. Administering a small test dose first allows the nurse to assess the client’s tolerance and detect potential adverse reactions before giving the full therapeutic dose. D. Administer an absorbate antidiarrheal medication 30 minutes prior to administration.: Amphotericin B is not associated with diarrhea as a major side effect. The focus should instead be on test dosing, prehydration, and monitoring for infusion reactions.