Question

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has AIDS and is taking amphotericin B for a fungal infection. The nurse should identify that which of the following values is an indication of an adverse effect of the medication?

a) Increased white blood cell count.
b) Elevated liver enzymes.
c) Decreased potassium levels.
d) Decreased renal function.

Answer 1

The adverse effects of amphotericin B that the nurse should look for in laboratory results are decreased potassium levels and decreased renal function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify that a decreased potassium levels (option c) and decreased renal function (option d) are indications of adverse effects of the medication amphotericin B. While increased white blood cell count generally indicates an infection and elevated liver enzymes could suggest liver toxicity potentially associated with medications like flucytosine, it is amphotericin B's potential to cause nephrotoxicity, which manifests as decreased renal function, and hypokalemia, seen as decreased potassium levels, that are the specific adverse effects associated with this antifungal drug.