A client with gout is prescribed allopurinol (Zyloprim). Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production, treating gout by inhibiting xanthine oxidase. Monitoring serum uric acid tracks efficacy, ensuring levels drop (normal: 3.5-7.2 mg/dL) to prevent flares. BUN reflects kidney function, relevant but secondary unless damage exists. White blood cells and platelets aren't directly affected unless hypersensitivity occurs (rare). Uric acid is the therapeutic target, aligning with allopurinol's mechanism, critical in gout where hyperuricemia drives symptoms. Regular checks confirm treatment success, guiding dose adjustments, making A the key value to monitor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin levels is typically between 0.8-2.0 ng/mL. A digoxin level of 1.1 ng/mL falls below the lower end of the therapeutic range, indicating that it is below the level considered effective for therapeutic benefits. Therefore, the correct interpretation by the nurse is that it is below the therapeutic level.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Caffeine's stimulant effect in coffee relies on adenosine receptor blockade . By inhibiting adenosine's sedative action, caffeine increases alertness, fitting her routine. Option , decreasing cAMP, contradicts caffeine's phosphodiesterase inhibition, which raises cAMP. Option , decreasing cGMP, is unrelated. Option , stimulating phosphodiesterase, opposes caffeine's action. Option (E), calcium transport, isn't primary. Adenosine antagonism drives caffeine's wakefulness, supporting her daily use to combat fatigue during study.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Valproate, commonly known as sodium valproate or valproic acid, is a medication primarily used to treat seizures, including epilepsy. It is an antiepileptic drug that works by increasing the levels of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps to calm excessive electrical activity that can lead to seizures. Valproate is considered a first-line treatment for various types of seizures, especially absence seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It is not used for replacing hormones, maintaining blood glucose levels, or lowering blood pressure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Worsening mood and disconnection on sertraline signal risk-e.g., suicidal ideation, per SSRI warnings-needing urgent clinic assessment. Benadryl is inappropriate-sedation won't fix. Holding meds risks withdrawal. Doubling dose escalates danger. Immediate evaluation ensures safety, per protocol.