A nurse is teaching a group of women about medications. The women want to know why so many drugs have unpredictable effects in women. The nurse will tell them that:
Drugs usually have more toxic effects in women.
Women metabolize drugs more slowly.
Most known drug effects are based on drug trials in men.
Women have varying responses to drugs during menstrual cycles.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
While it is true that women often experience more adverse drug reactions than men, this is not because drugs inherently have more toxic effects in women. The higher incidence of side effects in women is largely due to the fact that drug dosages and effects have historically been studied primarily in men. This has led to a lack of understanding of how drugs specifically affect women.
Choice B Reason:
Women do not necessarily metabolize drugs more slowly than men. Drug metabolism can vary widely depending on the specific medication and individual differences. However, the lack of female representation in clinical trials has resulted in less data on how women metabolize certain drugs, leading to unpredictable effects.
Choice C Reason:
Most known drug effects are indeed based on drug trials conducted predominantly in men. Historically, women were excluded from clinical trials due to concerns about hormonal fluctuations and potential risks to fetuses. This has resulted in a significant gap in knowledge about how drugs affect women, leading to more unpredictable and often adverse effects when these drugs are used by women.
Choice D Reason:
While hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles can affect drug metabolism and efficacy, this is not the primary reason for the unpredictable effects of drugs in women. The main issue is the historical exclusion of women from clinical trials, which has led to a lack of data on how drugs affect women differently from men.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Boxed warnings, also known as black box warnings, are the strictest warnings put in the labeling of prescription drugs by the FDA when there is reasonable evidence of an association of a serious hazard with the drug. However, they do not necessarily indicate that a drug should only be given in life-threatening circumstances. Instead, they highlight the potential for serious or life-threatening risks and advise on how to use the drug safely.
Choice B Reason:
While some boxed warnings may include information about teratogenic effects (effects that can cause birth defects), this is not their primary purpose. Boxed warnings are broader and can apply to various serious risks, not just teratogenicity. Therefore, this choice is too narrow to be correct.
Choice C Reason:
This is the correct answer. Boxed warnings are designed to alert prescribers to serious or life-threatening risks associated with a drug and provide guidance on how to mitigate these risks. This can include recommendations for monitoring, dosage adjustments, or avoiding certain populations. The goal is to ensure that prescribers are fully aware of the risks and can take appropriate measures to minimize harm to patients.
Choice D Reason:
Boxed warnings do not typically provide information about antidotes for toxicity. While managing toxicity is an important aspect of drug safety, boxed warnings focus on alerting prescribers to serious risks and how to mitigate them, rather than detailing specific antidotes.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Alkalosis
Alkalosis refers to a condition where the blood pH is higher than the normal range (above 7.45). In this case, the pH is 7.25, which indicates an acidic environment rather than an alkaline one. Therefore, alkalosis is not the correct answer.
Choice B: Respiratory
Respiratory acidosis or alkalosis is determined by the levels of PaCO2. In respiratory acidosis, PaCO2 is elevated, while in respiratory alkalosis, PaCO2 is decreased. Here, the PaCO2 is 20 mm Hg, which is below the normal range, indicating a respiratory component. However, the primary issue is not respiratory because the HCO3- is also significantly low, pointing towards a metabolic cause.
Choice C: Metabolic
Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3- level. In this case, the pH is 7.25, and the HCO3- is 10 mEq/L, both of which are below the normal ranges. This indicates that the primary acid-base imbalance is metabolic acidosis.
Choice D: Acidosis
Acidosis refers to a condition where the blood pH is lower than the normal range (below 7.35). The given pH of 7.25 confirms that the patient is experiencing acidosis. However, this choice alone does not specify whether it is metabolic or respiratory acidosis.
Choice E: With Compensation (Being Compensated)
Compensation refers to the body’s attempt to return the pH to normal by adjusting the levels of PaCO2 or HCO3-. In this case, the low PaCO2 suggests that there is a respiratory compensation for the metabolic acidosis. However, the primary imbalance remains metabolic acidosis.
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