A patient is scheduled for diagnostic testing. Which medication should the nurse anticipate that the health-care provider would order?

A. Brand names are the same as generic names: Brand names and generic names are different. The brand name is the trademarked name given by the manufacturer, while the generic name is the drug's standard name.

B. Once a drug's patent period has ended, the drug's trademark status is not protected, so other companies may produce the drug under its common or generic name. After a drug's patent expires, other companies can manufacture and sell the drug under its generic name, leading to the availability of generic versions of the drug.

C. Active ingredients can vary between generic and brand name drugs. The active ingredient in generic drugs must be the same as in the brand name drug. However, inactive ingredients (e.g., fillers, binders) may vary.

D. The name of a generic drug is capitalized: Generic drug names are not capitalized. They are written in lowercase, while brand names are capitalized.

A. The patient takes 4 medications each day.
Taking multiple medications is common in geriatric patients and does not warrant immediate priority action unless there is evidence of polypharmacy or interactions.

B. The patient states that the medications are delivered by the local pharmacy.
This is a routine aspect of medication management and does not present an immediate concern.

C. The patient is able to describe each medication and why it is being taken.
This indicates that the patient is knowledgeable about their medications, which is positive and does not require immediate action.

D. The patient skips a dose of certain medications sometimes. Skipping doses can lead to subtherapeutic levels of medication, potentially worsening the patient's condition or leading to medication errors. This requires immediate attention to ensure proper adherence to the medication regimen.