A patient with a history of anxiety disorder is prescribed lorazepam at a dosage of 1 mg to be administered every 8 hours as needed. If the patient has already received 2 doses today, what is the maximum additional dosage they can safely receive within the same day?
3 mg.
2 mg.
0 mg.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: A 3 mg additional dose would exceed the prescribed limit. The prescription allows for 1 mg every 8 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 3 mg in a 24-hour period (one dose every 8 hours). Since the patient has already received 2 mg (two 1 mg doses), an additional 3 mg would result in a total of 5 mg, which is unsafe and exceeds the prescribed daily limit.
Choice B reason: A 2 mg additional dose would also exceed the prescribed limit. With 2 mg already taken, an additional 2 mg would total 4 mg in a day, surpassing the maximum of 3 mg allowed by the prescription (1 mg every 8 hours, up to three doses).
Choice C reason: The patient has already received 2 mg (two 1 mg doses) today. The prescription allows for 1 mg every 8 hours as needed, which permits a maximum of 3 mg in 24 hours. With two doses already administered, only one additional 1 mg dose is safe, but none of the options list 1 mg. Therefore, 0 mg is the correct answer, as no additional dose beyond the remaining 1 mg is permissible among the given choices.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: SSRIs do not increase norepinephrine levels; that is the action of SNRIs or other antidepressant classes.
Choice B reason: SSRIs do not inhibit serotonin production; instead, they work by blocking reuptake, leading to increased serotonin availability.
Choice C reason: SSRIs do not lower dopamine levels; this would worsen mood symptoms rather than improve them.
Choice D reason: SSRIs block serotonin reuptake in presynaptic neurons, which increases serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft and helps elevate mood.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A serum potassium of 3.3 mEq/L is slightly low but does not require stopping clozapine therapy.
Choice B reason: A hematocrit of 55% is elevated but not a contraindication for clozapine use.
Choice C reason: A WBC of 2,900 cells/mm³ indicates severe leukopenia/agranulocytosis, a life-threatening adverse effect of clozapine, requiring immediate discontinuation.
Choice D reason: A BUN of 22 mg/dL is only mildly elevated and not directly related to clozapine risks.
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