What diagnostic values should the nurse prioritize when monitoring a young adult taking mebendazole for hookworms?

When monitoring a young adult taking mebendazole for hookworms, prioritizing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is critical because these enzymes are indicators of liver function. Mebendazole is primarily metabolized by the liver, and while it is generally well-tolerated, monitoring liver enzyme levels helps identify any potential hepatotoxic effects that could arise during treatment.

The presence of elevated AST and ALT levels can signal liver stress or damage, which is especially important in patients with pre-existing liver conditions or those taking other medications. While other diagnostic values such as those from a complete blood count (CBC) or renal function tests do provide valuable information, they are not as directly linked to the specific potential side effects associated with mebendazole therapy.