In caring for a client who is receiving meropenem IV for nosocomial pneumonia, which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A: Yellow-tinged sputum is not a critical finding for the nurse to report, as this is a common sign of pneumonia and does not indicate an adverse reaction to meropenem. This is a distractor choice. Choice B: Nausea and headache are not urgent findings for the nurse to report, as these are mild side effects of meropenem and can be managed with supportive measures. This is another distractor choice. Choice C: Watery diarrhea is an important finding for the nurse to report, as this can indicate a serious complication of meropenem, such as Clostridioides difficile infection, which can cause severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and sepsis. Therefore, this is the correct choice. Choice D: Increased fatigue is not a significant finding for the nurse to report, as this can be related to the client's underlying condition and does not suggest a problem with meropenem. This is another distractor choice.