American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ANCC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Checking liver function studies before initiating itraconazole therapy is crucial due to the potential hepatotoxicity associated with the medication. Itraconazole is metabolized by the liver, and elevated liver enzymes can indicate existing liver damage or dysfunction, which could be exacerbated by the use of itraconazole. Monitoring liver function helps ensure that the patient can safely tolerate the medication without risking further liver injury.

While other laboratory values like renal function studies, platelet count, and white blood cell count can provide useful information regarding a patient’s overall health, they are not specifically necessary to assess prior to starting itraconazole. Renal function is more critical for medications that are primarily excreted via the kidneys, and the other two tests do not directly relate to the potential side effects associated with itraconazole. Therefore, the focus on liver function studies underscores the importance of assessing hepatic safety in patients receiving this antifungal treatment.