Question

The nurse receives an order to administer intravenous gentamicin to a client. For which finding should the nurse contact the health care provider to clarify the order?

A
Low serum albumin
B
Low serum blood urea nitrogen
C
High serum creatinine Correct Answer (Blank)
D
High gastric pH

Answer 1

The nurse should contact the healthcare provider if the patient has a high serum creatinine level, as this could indicate impaired kidney function, which gentamicin could exacerbate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should contact the healthcare provider to clarify the order for intravenous gentamicin if the patient has a high serum creatinine level. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity (kidney damage). The serum creatinine level is an indicator of kidney function; a high level suggests impaired kidney function, which may be exacerbated by gentamicin. Therefore, it's crucial to reassess the use of this drug under such conditions to prevent further kidney damage.

Low serum albumin is concerning because it affects drug binding, but is not directly related to gentamicin's nephrotoxic effect. A low serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is typically not directly relevant to gentamicin administration, and while a high gastric pH may affect the absorption of certain oral medications, gentamicin is administered IV and would not be influenced by stomach pH.