A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a female client who is taking zidovudine to treat HIV. Which of the following should the nurse identify as an adverse finding associated with this medication?

Choice A rationale A hemoglobin level of 17 g/dL is elevated, a condition known as polycythemia. The normal range for females is 12 to 16 g/dL. Zidovudine is known to cause bone marrow suppression, leading to anemia (low hemoglobin), not an elevated level. Therefore, this finding is not associated with the medication's adverse effects. Choice B rationale A creatinine level of 1.5 mg/dL is elevated, which is indicative of impaired renal function. The normal range is 0.5 to 1 mg/dL. While zidovudine can affect the kidneys, this is not a primary adverse effect. The drug is primarily associated with hematological toxicity, such as anemia, neutropenia, and myopathy. Choice C rationale A platelet count of 450,000/mm³ is elevated, a condition known as thrombocytosis. The normal range is 150,000 to 400,000/mm³. Zidovudine's primary hematological adverse effect is bone marrow suppression, which would lead to a decrease in platelet count (thrombocytopenia), not an increase. Choice D rationale A neutrophil count of 650/mm³ is significantly low, a condition known as neutropenia. The normal range is 2,500 to 8,000/mm³. Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that can cause dose-limiting bone marrow suppression, resulting in neutropenia. This finding increases the risk of serious bacterial infections, making it a critical adverse finding.