Which laboratory value should the nurse review prior to administering the initial dose of a statin medication?

Which laboratory value should the nurse review prior to administering the initial dose of a statin medication?

• A. Serum electrolytes
• B. Capillary blood glucose
• C. Serum liver enzymes
• D. Complete blood count

Answer: (C)

Baseline liver function tests are essential before starting a statin because these medications carry a risk of hepatotoxicity and are processed in the liver. Knowing the current liver function helps ensure the patient can tolerate the drug and provides a reference point if symptoms of liver injury appear after initiation. If baseline liver enzymes (such as AST/ALT) are normal or only mildly elevated, starting the statin with appropriate monitoring is generally considered safe; if there are significant abnormalities or active liver disease, the risk may outweigh the benefit and alternative treatments may be considered. While electrolytes, capillary glucose, and a complete blood count are useful for overall health monitoring, they do not directly address the primary safety concern with statins, which is the potential impact on the liver.

Baseline liver function tests are essential before starting a statin because these medications carry a risk of hepatotoxicity and are processed in the liver. Knowing the current liver function helps ensure the patient can tolerate the drug and provides a reference point if symptoms of liver injury appear after initiation. If baseline liver enzymes (such as AST/ALT) are normal or only mildly elevated, starting the statin with appropriate monitoring is generally considered safe; if there are significant abnormalities or active liver disease, the risk may outweigh the benefit and alternative treatments may be considered. While electrolytes, capillary glucose, and a complete blood count are useful for overall health monitoring, they do not directly address the primary safety concern with statins, which is the potential impact on the liver.