Which nursing assessment is a priority before administering nitrofurantoin to a client with a bacterial infection?

The priority nursing assessment before administering nitrofurantoin to a client with a bacterial infection is checking renal function. Nitrofurantoin is primarily eliminated through the kidneys, and impaired renal function can lead to increased serum levels of the drug, raising the risk of toxicity and adverse effects. It is crucial to ensure that the client's kidneys are functioning adequately to process and excrete the medication properly.

While assessing lung sounds and reviewing the client's allergy history are important considerations in the overall nursing assessment, they do not take precedence over assessing renal function in this context. Lung sounds assessment is more related to respiratory issues, which are not directly impacted by nitrofurantoin. Similarly, a thorough allergy history is essential but does not address the critical concern of how this medication will be metabolized and cleared from the body.

Therefore, ensuring that renal function is adequate is the most pertinent assessment before administration, as it directly impacts the safety and effectiveness of the therapy with nitrofurantoin.