The practical nurse (PN) is providing care for a client who is receiving an aminoglycoside to treat a bacterial infection. To assess for signs of ototoxicity, which action should the PN take?

The correct answer is choice B: Monitor the client's hearing. Choice A rationale: Observing the skin for a rash is not relevant to assessing for signs of ototoxicity. Aminoglycosides can cause skin reactions, but this is not a specific sign of ototoxicity. Choice B rationale: Monitoring the client's hearing is essential when administering aminoglycosides because these medications can cause ototoxicity, which is damage to the inner ear and auditory nerve leading to hearing loss or tinnitus. Regular hearing assessments can help detect any changes in hearing and prompt appropriate interventions. Choice C rationale: Measuring the urinary output is not directly related to assessing for ototoxicity. Aminoglycosides can cause kidney toxicity, but this is a separate concern from ototoxicity. Choice D rationale: Checking for changes in vision is not specifically associated with aminoglycoside administration. Vision changes are not a common side effect of these medications, so it would not be a primary assessment in this situation.