Complete the following using the list of options.
Mr. Brown is a 75-year-old client in for a routine check-up. He has several prescribed medications. The nurse knows that taking numerous drugs is known as:
Drug tolerance.
Pharmacogenetic reaction.
Drug toxicity.
Polypharmacy.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Drug tolerance refers to a phenomenon where a patient's response to a specific drug decreases over time, requiring larger doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect. This often occurs due to physiological adaptations, such as altered receptor sensitivity or increased drug metabolism, and is distinct from simply taking multiple medications.
Choice B rationale
A pharmacogenetic reaction involves an individual's unique genetic makeup influencing their response to a drug, leading to altered drug metabolism, efficacy, or adverse effects. This is a specific type of drug response based on genetic variations and is not synonymous with the practice of taking numerous medications.
Choice C rationale
Drug toxicity refers to adverse effects that occur when the concentration of a drug in the body exceeds the therapeutic range, leading to harmful or undesirable physiological effects. While taking multiple drugs can increase the risk of toxicity, toxicity itself is a consequence, not the term for taking numerous drugs.
Choice D rationale
Polypharmacy is the medical term used to describe the practice of taking multiple medications concurrently, often more than is medically necessary or when the potential for adverse drug interactions and side effects outweighs the benefits. This is a common issue in older adults due to the presence of multiple chronic conditions requiring different pharmacological interventions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Joint stiffness after sitting for a long period of time, often referred to as "gelling," is a common symptom associated with inflammatory joint conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. While it can be a source of discomfort and reduced mobility, it typically does not indicate an immediate life-threatening situation. The body's synovial fluid thins with inactivity, leading to increased friction and stiffness upon movement.
Choice B rationale
Nausea with a small amount of vomitus suggests gastrointestinal upset. While it can cause discomfort and lead to dehydration if persistent, it is generally not an acute emergency unless accompanied by severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration, or other systemic symptoms. The body's chemoreceptor trigger zone can be activated by various stimuli, leading to the sensation of nausea and subsequent emesis.
Choice C rationale
A rash that developed after a second dose of antibiotics could indicate an allergic reaction, which ranges from mild to severe. While allergic reactions require assessment and intervention, they are not immediately life-threatening unless accompanied by signs of anaphylaxis such as angioedema or respiratory distress. This hypersensitivity reaction involves the immune system's response to the drug as an antigen.
Choice D rationale
Shortness of breath with audible wheezing indicates respiratory distress, which is a critical and potentially life-threatening condition. Wheezing suggests airway narrowing, which impedes oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Immediate assessment and intervention are required to prevent respiratory arrest and ensure adequate oxygenation to vital organs. This physiological response reflects bronchoconstriction and inflammation, severely compromising ventilation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Albuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist. Its primary action is bronchodilation by stimulating beta-2 receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, leading to relaxation and widening of the airways. It does not directly suppress the cough reflex, which is a protective mechanism to clear airways. Cough suppression is typically achieved by antitussive medications acting on the central nervous system or peripheral cough receptors.
Choice B rationale
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA), characterized by a rapid onset of action and relatively short duration (4-6 hours). Therefore, it is used for immediate relief of bronchospasm and acute symptoms of asthma, not for long-term daily maintenance. Long-term maintenance medications include inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) used consistently to control inflammation and prevent exacerbations.
Choice C rationale
Albuterol's rapid onset of action and potent bronchodilatory effects make it the ideal medication for acute relief of bronchospasm in asthma. It is used as a "rescue" inhaler to quickly open airways during an asthma attack or before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. This immediate effect is crucial for alleviating respiratory distress.
Choice D rationale
Post-tussive emesis, or vomiting after coughing, is often a symptom of severe coughing spells. While albuterol can alleviate coughing by reducing bronchospasm, its primary mechanism is not to prevent emesis directly. Emesis is a gastrointestinal reflex; albuterol's action is primarily on the respiratory system. Addressing the underlying cause of severe coughing would indirectly reduce emesis.
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