If the nurse is unfamiliar with a drug, what should be monitored first?

When a nurse is unfamiliar with a drug, it is essential to prioritize patient safety by closely monitoring the patient's vital signs first. Vital signs provide a crucial overview of a patient's overall condition and physiological stability. Changes in vital signs can indicate an adverse reaction to the medication, warranting urgent intervention.

Monitoring vital signs—such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature—can help the nurse quickly detect any immediate complications associated with a new medication. This assessment allows for timely communication with the healthcare team if there are concerns regarding the patient's response to the drug.

While monitoring liver enzymes, creatinine levels, and WBC count is important in certain contexts, they are typically part of a broader assessment related to the long-term effects of medication or specific conditions. However, immediate safety checks involving vital signs should take precedence in an unfamiliar medication scenario.