Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 72%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has a bacterial infection and is receiving gentamicin. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to minimize the risk of an adverse effect of the medication?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Monitor the serum medication levels. Gentamicin is known for its potential to cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Monitoring the serum medication levels is crucial to ensure the drug remains within the therapeutic range, preventing toxicity. By monitoring these levels, the nurse can adjust the dosage if necessary to minimize adverse effects. Administering the medicine with food (A) is not relevant to reducing adverse effects of gentamicin. Limiting fluid intake (C) can actually increase the risk of nephrotoxicity. Instructing the client to report agitation (D) is important but does not directly address the risk of adverse effects from gentamicin.