a nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (ra) who has been prescribed etanercept…

a nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (ra) who has been prescribed etanercept 50 mg subcutaneously each week. before the patient begins etanercept, which baseline parameters would be assessed?\nselect all that apply.\nhepatitis b panel\nlipid panel\nliver function tests\nwhite blood cell count\npurified protein derivative (ppd) test

a nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (ra) who has been prescribed etanercept 50 mg subcutaneously each week. before the patient begins etanercept, which baseline parameters would be assessed?\nselect all that apply.\nhepatitis b panel\nlipid panel\nliver function tests\nwhite blood cell count\npurified protein derivative (ppd) test

Answer

Brief Explanations:

Etanercept is a TNF inhibitor, which suppresses the immune system. Baseline assessments are needed to screen for pre-existing conditions and monitor organ function:

  1. Hepatitis B panel: TNF inhibitors can reactivate latent hepatitis B, so screening is required.
  2. Liver function tests: Etanercept may cause liver injury, so baseline liver function must be checked.
  3. White blood cell count: The drug suppresses immunity, so baseline WBC (a marker of immune function) is needed to detect potential leukopenia risk.
  4. PPD test: TNF inhibitors increase tuberculosis risk, so latent TB screening with PPD is necessary. A lipid panel is not a standard baseline assessment for etanercept initiation.

Answer:

  • Hepatitis B panel
  • Liver function tests
  • White blood cell count
  • Purified protein derivative (PPD) test