A nurse is caring for a client receiving an intermittent IV bolus of gentamicin twice daily.Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor while the client is receiving this medication?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationaleGlucose monitoring is essential for patients with diabetes or at risk of hypoglycemia, but it is not directly relevant to gentamicin therapy.Choice B rationaleProthrombin time measures clotting ability, which is more relevant to anticoagulant therapy, not gentamicin, which is an antibiotic.Choice C rationaleSerum creatinine is a key indicator of kidney function, and gentamicin can cause nephrotoxicity, making this lab value critical to monitor. Normal range: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL.Choice D rationaleCardiac enzymes are used to diagnose myocardial infarction and other cardiac conditions, not typically monitored with gentamicin use.Choice E rationaleWBC count is important in assessing infection or immune response but does not indicate adverse effects specific to gentamicin.