Final answer:
The nurse will monitor a D. Complete blood count (CBC) when assessing for potential serious adverse effects to propylthiouracil (PTU), as it measures levels of blood cells including white blood cells important in detecting agranulocytosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing for potential serious adverse effects to propylthiouracil (PTU), the nurse will monitor the D. Complete blood count (CBC).
Propylthiouracil, a medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, can have serious side effects, including agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the white blood cell count drops dangerously low, impairing the body’s ability to fight off infections.
A CBC test measures the levels of different cells in the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, making it the appropriate test to monitor while a patient is on PTU therapy.