What should the nurse monitor for in a client receiving phenytoin therapy?

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Monitoring serum drug levels in a client receiving phenytoin therapy is crucial for ensuring effective treatment while minimizing the risk of toxicity. Phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that there's a thin margin between an effective dose and a toxic dose. Regular monitoring of serum drug levels helps assess whether the medication is within the therapeutic window, allowing adjustments to be made as necessary. Elevated levels may indicate potential side effects or toxicity, while levels that are too low may suggest inadequate seizure control.

In contrast to this, monitoring blood glucose levels, gastrointestinal bleeding, and signs of liver toxicity, while important in different contexts of healthcare, are not primary objectives when managing a patient on phenytoin specifically. These parameters do not directly indicate phenytoin therapeutic effectiveness or safety, thus highlighting the importance of serum drug levels in this scenario.

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