The nurse is teaching nursing students about the concept of medications’ half-life. The nurse asks students: If we administer 10 mg of medication X, which has a half-life of one day, to the patient, how much medication will remain in the patient’s body after three days?

Choice A Reason:

An idiosyncratic effect is an unusual or unexpected reaction to a drug that is not related to the dose and is not a common side effect. These reactions are often due to genetic differences in metabolism or immune response. In this case, shortness of breath is a known reaction for some patients taking the drug, so it is not considered idiosyncratic.

Choice B Reason:

A teratogenic effect refers to a drug’s potential to cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus when taken by a pregnant woman. Since the patient is experiencing shortness of breath, which is a known reaction to the drug, this choice is not relevant to the situation.

Choice C Reason:

This is the correct answer. A side effect is a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment. Since the nurse found that shortness of breath is a known reaction for some patients taking the drug, it is classified as a side effect. The nurse should report this to the provider to ensure proper management and monitoring.

Choice D Reason:

The symptom of shortness of breath is related to the medication administration, as confirmed by the drug administration manual. Therefore, this choice is incorrect. The nurse must report the side effect to the provider for appropriate action.

Choice A Reason:

Tertiary prevention focuses on managing and mitigating the complications of an existing disease to prevent further deterioration. For obesity, this might involve interventions like bariatric surgery or intensive management of comorbid conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. In this scenario, the goal is not to prevent the onset of disease but to manage its long-term effects and improve quality of life.

Choice B Reason:

Disease treatment refers to the direct management of a diagnosed condition. For a diabetic teen, this could include medications like insulin or metformin, regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, and other medical interventions to control diabetes. While a low-calorie diet and exercise are important components of diabetes management, they are more aligned with preventive measures rather than direct treatment.

Choice C Reason:

Secondary prevention aims to detect and address a disease early in its course to prevent progression. This might include screening programs, early interventions, and lifestyle modifications for individuals at high risk of developing a condition. In the context of diabetes, secondary prevention could involve regular blood glucose monitoring and early dietary changes to prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes.

Choice D Reason:

Primary prevention involves measures taken to prevent the onset of a disease before it occurs. This includes lifestyle interventions such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight. For an obese diabetic teen, a prescription for a low-calorie diet and exercise program is aimed at preventing further weight gain and reducing the risk of developing additional health complications, making it a primary prevention strategy.