A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin 500 mg PO. Available is amoxicillin 250 mg tablets.

How many tablets should the nurse administer?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A rationale:
Administering a medication to a patient is a Dependent nursing action because it requires a doctor’s order.
Choice B rationale:
Interdependent actions are those performed jointly with other healthcare team members, which is not the case here.
Choice C rationale:
Collaborative actions involve working closely with other healthcare professionals, but administering medication is typically a nurse’s responsibility.
Choice D rationale:
Independent nursing actions are those a nurse can take without a physician’s order, which doesn’t apply to medication administration.

Choice A rationale:
The blood flow of the mucous lining of the stomach and intestines can affect how quickly a drug is absorbed.
Choice B rationale:
Drug distribution refers to how a drug spreads throughout the body, not its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Choice C rationale:
Enzyme activity can affect how a drug is metabolized and absorbed.
Choice D rationale:
Gastric pH can affect drug absorption as some drugs are better absorbed in an acidic environment, while others are better absorbed in an alkaline environment.
Choice E rationale:
Gastric emptying time can affect drug absorption. Drugs may stay in contact with the absorptive tissue longer if the gastric emptying time is slower, allowing for increased absorption.