The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous theophylline. The patient complains of headache and nausea. The nurse will contact the provider to:

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Theophylline is a medication used to treat respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it has a narrow therapeutic index, which means that small changes in dosage can result in toxicity. Symptoms of theophylline toxicity include headache, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Therefore, if a patient complains of such symptoms, a serum theophylline level should be obtained to assess for toxicity. Changing the medication to an oral form or suggesting an alternative medication will not address the current potential toxicity. Requesting an order for an analgesic medication is not appropriate as the headache is likely a symptom of the medication toxicity.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Is Receiving