The healthcare provider orders azithromycin (Zithromax) 1000mg to be given as a loading dose. The nurse understands that the purpose of this loading dose is to:
Increase the duration of action of the medication
Decrease the frequency of subsequent doses.
Achieve therapeutic drug levels more rapidly
Minimize the risk of adverse effects
The Correct Answer is C
A. Increase the duration of action of the medication:
A loading dose is not intended to increase the duration of action of a medication. Instead, it aims to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. The duration of action is primarily influenced by the drug's half-life and how it's metabolized and excreted, rather than the initial dose.
B. Decrease the frequency of subsequent doses:
The primary goal of a loading dose is to reach therapeutic levels quickly, not necessarily to alter the frequency of future doses. While a loading dose can help achieve therapeutic levels faster, the dosing schedule is determined by the drug's pharmacokinetics and the condition being treated.
C. Achieve therapeutic drug levels more rapidly:
The main purpose of a loading dose is to quickly achieve a concentration of the medication in the blood that is sufficient to be therapeutic. By giving a larger initial dose, the medication reaches effective levels faster compared to gradually reaching those levels with smaller, incremental doses.
D. Minimize the risk of adverse effects:
Minimizing adverse effects is not the primary aim of a loading dose. While achieving therapeutic levels quickly may indirectly help in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes, the main purpose of a loading dose is to reach effective drug levels promptly, not specifically to reduce adverse effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. Given that the client has overdosed on morphine and is exhibiting a critically low respiratory rate of 6/min, naloxone is the appropriate medication to administer to reverse the effects of morphine and restore normal breathing.
B) Flumazenil: Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepine overdose. It is not effective for opioid overdoses, such as those caused by morphine.
C) Protamine: Protamine is used to reverse the effects of heparin, an anticoagulant, and is not relevant in the context of opioid overdose. It does not address the respiratory depression caused by morphine.
D) Epinephrine: Epinephrine is used in cases of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions and is not appropriate for reversing opioid overdose. It would not address the respiratory depression caused by morphine overdose.
Correct Answer is ["A","F"]
Explanation
A. St. John's wort 450 mg by mouth twice daily: St. John's wort is known to be a potent inducer of cytochrome P450 enzymes and can significantly reduce the effectiveness of warfarin by increasing its metabolism. This interaction can lead to subtherapeutic levels of warfarin and an increased risk of thromboembolic events.
B. Gabapentin 400 mg by mouth twice daily: While gabapentin can interact with other medications, its interactions with warfarin or St. John's wort are generally not as significant as those between warfarin and St. John's wort.
C. Aspirin 81 mg by mouth daily: Aspirin has anticoagulant properties and can have interactions with warfarin. However, the interaction with St. John's wort is less pronounced compared to the interaction between warfarin and St. John's wort.
D. Atorvastatin 80 mg by mouth daily: Atorvastatin primarily affects lipid levels and has different metabolic pathways compared to warfarin. It does not have a strong interaction with St. John's wort.
E. Lisinopril 5 mg by mouth daily: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor and does not have significant interactions with St. John's wort or warfarin.
F. Warfarin 5 mg by mouth daily. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that requires careful monitoring due to its interactions with various substances that can either increase the risk of bleeding or decrease its effectiveness.
G. Ginger 5 mg by mouth daily: Ginger can affect platelet function but is not as significant in interaction with warfarin as St. John's wort.
H. Valerian 10 mg by mouth daily: Valerian may have mild interactions with central nervous system depressants but does not have significant interactions with warfarin or St. John's wort.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.