Which diagnostic test should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of mebendazole for a helminth infection?

Monitoring a stool sample is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of mebendazole in treating a helminth infection. Mebendazole acts by inhibiting the growth and multiplication of intestinal worms, leading to their eventual death. By analyzing stool samples, healthcare providers can determine whether the eggs or larvae of the helminths are still present in the feces after treatment. A decrease in the quantity or absence of these parasites in subsequent stool samples indicates that the medication is effective in eradicating the infection.

The other tests, such as blood glucose levels, urine analysis, and X-ray imaging, do not provide relevant information about the presence of helminths or the effectiveness of mebendazole. Blood glucose levels would primarily reflect metabolic status rather than parasitic infection. Urine analysis may help detect certain metabolic byproducts but is not a standard method for evaluating helminth infections. X-ray imaging may be useful for assessing complications but does not directly inform the treatment's effectiveness against parasitic worms. Thus, monitoring stool samples is the most appropriate and direct method to assess the outcome of mebendazole therapy.