A patient receives a drug that has a narrow therapeutic range. The nurse administering this medication will expect to do what?
Administer the drug at intervals longer than the drug half-life.
Teach the patient that maximum drug effects will occur within a short period.
Administer this medication intravenously.
Order lab to check blood drug level.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Administering the drug at intervals longer than the drug half-life is not typically recommended for medications with a narrow therapeutic range. These drugs require precise dosing to maintain therapeutic levels without reaching toxic levels. Extending the dosing interval could lead to subtherapeutic levels, reducing the drug’s effectiveness.
Choice B Reason:
Teaching the patient that maximum drug effects will occur within a short period is not specific to drugs with a narrow therapeutic range. While some medications may have rapid onset of action, the critical aspect of narrow therapeutic range drugs is maintaining consistent blood levels to avoid toxicity or subtherapeutic effects.
Choice C Reason:
Administering the medication intravenously is not a requirement for all drugs with a narrow therapeutic range. While IV administration can provide precise control over drug levels, many narrow therapeutic range drugs can be administered orally or through other routes. The key is monitoring and adjusting the dose based on blood levels.
Choice D Reason:
Ordering lab tests to check blood drug levels is essential for managing medications with a narrow therapeutic range. These drugs have a small margin between therapeutic and toxic doses, so regular monitoring of blood levels helps ensure the drug remains within the safe and effective range. This practice is known as therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and is crucial for drugs like warfarin, phenytoin, and digoxin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Beta2 agonists, such as terbutaline, are commonly used to manage premature labor. These drugs work by stimulating beta2 adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscles of the uterus, leading to relaxation and suppression of contractions. Therefore, questioning the use of a beta2 agonist in this scenario would not be appropriate.
Choice B Reason:
Anticholinergic drugs are not typically used to manage premature labor. They work by blocking the action of acetylcholine in the nervous system, which can lead to various effects such as reduced secretions and relaxation of smooth muscles. However, they are not specifically indicated for stopping uterine contractions, so questioning their use in this context is less relevant.
Choice C Reason:
This is the correct answer. Beta2 antagonists, also known as beta-blockers, work by blocking beta2 adrenergic receptors, which can lead to increased uterine contractions. Using a beta2 antagonist in a patient experiencing premature labor would be counterproductive and could exacerbate the condition. Therefore, it is appropriate to question the use of beta2 antagonists in this scenario.
Choice D Reason:
Alpha1 agonists are not typically used in the management of premature labor. These drugs stimulate alpha1 adrenergic receptors, leading to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. They do not have a direct effect on uterine contractions, so questioning their use in this context is less relevant.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Decreased ATP production is the primary cause of sodium and water accumulation in an injured cell. ATP is essential for the function of the sodium-potassium (Na±K+) pump, which maintains the ionic balance within the cell. When ATP levels drop, the Na±K+ pump fails, leading to an influx of sodium and water into the cell, causing cellular swelling.
Choice B Reason:
Calcification of the cell refers to the abnormal deposition of calcium salts within the cell. While calcification can occur in injured cells, it is not directly responsible for sodium and water accumulation. Calcification is more related to chronic injury and cell death rather than acute cellular swelling.
Choice C Reason:
Ribosome detachment from the endoplasmic reticulum can occur due to cellular stress and injury, leading to reduced protein synthesis. However, this detachment is not the direct cause of sodium and water accumulation. The primary issue is the failure of the Na±K+ pump due to decreased ATP production.
Choice D Reason:
Dehydration refers to the loss of water from the body or cells. While dehydration can affect cellular function, it is not the cause of sodium and water accumulation in injured cells. The accumulation is primarily due to the failure of the Na±K+ pump, which is dependent on ATP.
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