Necrotic death of brain tissue usually produces:

Choice A Reason:

Discontinuing the drug at the first signs of toxicity might seem like a straightforward solution, but it is not always the best approach. Some drugs are essential for treating serious conditions, and stopping them abruptly can cause more harm than good. Instead, the nurse should monitor the patient closely and consult with the healthcare provider to adjust the dosage or switch to a safer alternative if necessary.

Choice B Reason:

Teaching the patient how to treat symptoms if they develop is important, but it is not sufficient on its own. While patient education is a crucial aspect of managing drug side effects, it should be part of a broader strategy that includes regular monitoring and medical supervision.

Choice C Reason:

Ensuring that complete blood counts are ordered periodically is a good practice, especially for drugs that can affect blood cells. However, this approach is too narrow. Toxic side effects can impact various organs and systems, so a comprehensive monitoring plan is necessary.

Choice D Reason:

This is the correct answer. Monitoring the function of all organs potentially affected by the drug is the most comprehensive and effective approach. This includes regular blood tests, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and other relevant assessments. By closely monitoring the patient’s organ functions, the healthcare team can detect early signs of toxicity and take appropriate action to prevent serious complications.

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.