A patient has orders for lactulose 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours and neomycin 250 mg by mouth every 4 hours.Which laboratory result should a nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of these medications?
A)Blood ammonia
B)Glycosylated hemoglobin
C)Serum creatinine
D)White blood cell count

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lactulose and neomycin are commonly used to treat hepatic encephalopathy, which is caused by an accumulation of ammonia in the blood. Monitoring blood ammonia levels will help determine the effectiveness of these medications in lowering the serum ammonia levels. Glycosylated hemoglobin measures the average blood sugar over the past few months and is not relevant in monitoring the effectiveness of these medications. Serum creatinine is a measure of kidney function and is not relevant in this case. White blood cell count is a measure of immune function and is not relevant in monitoring the effectiveness of these medications in treating hepatic encephalopathy.

A Patient Has Orders for Lactulose 30 ML by Mouth