Questions: Question 3 The nurse prepares to administer memantine [Namenda] to a patient with severe AD. The nurse should assess what before administering of the medication? A. Hemoglobin and hematocrit B. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine C. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase D. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and neutrophil count

The answer is B: Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine.

Explanation for each option:

A. Hemoglobin and hematocrit - These tests are typically used to assess anemia or blood loss, not directly related to the administration of memantine.

B. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine - These tests assess kidney function. Memantine is excreted by the kidneys, so it is important to evaluate renal function before administering the medication to ensure it can be safely metabolized and excreted.

C. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase - These tests assess liver function. While important for medications metabolized by the liver, memantine is primarily excreted by the kidneys, making these tests less relevant in this context.

D. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and neutrophil count - These tests are used to assess inflammation and infection, respectively, and are not directly related to the administration of memantine.

In summary, assessing kidney function through blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels is crucial before administering memantine to ensure the patient's kidneys can handle the medication.