Question

a nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for etanercept. which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• administer a tuberculin skin test prior to starting the medication.
• teach the client that fevers are common while taking this medication.
• determine if the client has chronic hypertension.
• mix the medication with methotrexate prior to administration.

Explanation:

Etanercept is a biologic agent used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Before starting etanercept, a tuberculin skin test (TST) is recommended to screen for latent tuberculosis, as these medications can reactivate TB. Fevers are not a common expected effect (in fact, infections like TB reactivation could cause fever, but the drug itself doesn't typically cause common fevers). Chronic hypertension isn't a primary concern for etanercept use. Etanercept and methotrexate are sometimes used together but aren't mixed before administration. So the correct action is to administer a tuberculin skin test prior to starting the medication.

Answer:

A. Administer a tuberculin skin test prior to starting the medication.