What data should the nurse collect prior to administering an antilipemic medication?

Collecting serum lipid levels is essential before administering an antilipemic medication because these medications are specifically designed to lower lipid levels in the bloodstream. By obtaining baseline lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, the healthcare provider can effectively assess the patient's current lipid status. This measurement provides a benchmark to evaluate the medication's efficacy after treatment begins and helps in monitoring for potential side effects or required dosage adjustments. Understanding these baseline levels is crucial for determining the appropriate therapeutic approach and for tracking the patient's progress over time.

While weight, dietary habits, and family medical history can provide useful contextual information regarding a patient's overall health and risk factors associated with lipid levels, they do not specifically indicate the current state of lipid levels as serum lipid tests do. Therefore, while those factors may influence treatment decisions and patient management, they do not replace the need for direct measurement of the lipid levels when considering the initiation of antilipemic therapy.