What term is used to describe the highest concentration of a drug in the blood after it is administered?
Peak level
Halflife
Trough level
Steady state
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Peak level is the correct term to describe the highest concentration of a drug in the blood after it is administered. Peak level is also known as peak plasma concentration or Cmax, and it reflects the rate and extent of drug absorption. Peak level is influenced by factors such as the route of administration, the dose, the formulation, and the bioavailability of the drug. Peak level is important to monitor for drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that there is a small difference between the effective and toxic doses. The nurse should measure the peak level at the appropriate time after the drug administration, and adjust the dose or the frequency as needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and avoid adverse effects .
Choice B reason: Halflife is not the correct term to describe the highest concentration of a drug in the blood after it is administered. Halflife is the time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the blood to decrease by 50%. Halflife reflects the rate of drug elimination, which depends on factors such as the metabolism and excretion of the drug. Halflife is important to determine the dosing interval and the time to reach steady state. The nurse should consider the halflife of the drug when prescribing or administering the drug, and avoid drug accumulation or subtherapeutic levels .
Choice C reason: Trough level is not the correct term to describe the highest concentration of a drug in the blood after it is administered. Trough level is the lowest concentration of a drug in the blood before the next dose is given. Trough level reflects the balance between drug absorption and elimination, and it indicates the minimum effective concentration of the drug. Trough level is important to monitor for drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that there is a small difference between the effective and toxic doses. The nurse should measure the trough level just before the next dose of the drug, and adjust the dose or the frequency as needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and avoid adverse effects .
Choice D reason: Steady state is not the correct term to describe the highest concentration of a drug in the blood after it is administered. Steady state is the condition when the rate of drug administration is equal to the rate of drug elimination, and the concentration of the drug in the blood remains constant. Steady state is usually reached after four to five halflives of the drug, and it reflects the optimal therapeutic level of the drug. Steady state is important to maintain for drugs that have a long halflife or a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that there is a small difference between the effective and toxic doses. The nurse should ensure that the drug is administered at regular intervals and at the appropriate dose to achieve and maintain steady state.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Relief of heartburn is the correct outcome that indicates that famotidine is therapeutic. Famotidine is a medication that belongs to the class of H2 receptor antagonists, which work by blocking the action of histamine on the H2 receptors of the stomach cells, thereby reducing the production of gastric acid. Famotidine is used to treat and prevent conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger Ellison syndrome, which are characterized by excessive acid secretion and irritation of the esophagus and stomach. Famotidine can relieve the symptoms of heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest or throat caused by the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.
Choice B reason: Cessation of diarrhea is not an outcome that indicates that famotidine is therapeutic. Famotidine is a medication that belongs to the class of H2 receptor antagonists, which work by blocking the action of histamine on the H2 receptors of the stomach cells, thereby reducing the production of gastric acid. Famotidine does not affect the motility or secretion of the intestines, and it is not used to treat diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Diarrhea can have various causes, such as infections, medications, food intolerance, or inflammatory bowel disease, and it requires different treatments depending on the underlying cause. Famotidine is not effective for treating diarrhea, and it may even worsen it by reducing the acidity of the stomach and increasing the risk of bacterial overgrowth.
Choice C reason: Passage of flatus is not an outcome that indicates that famotidine is therapeutic. Famotidine is a medication that belongs to the class of H2 receptor antagonists, which work by blocking the action of histamine on the H2 receptors of the stomach cells, thereby reducing the production of gastric acid. Famotidine does not affect the digestion or fermentation of food in the gastrointestinal tract, and it is not used to treat flatulence, which is the accumulation and expulsion of gas from the stomach or intestines. Flatulence can have various causes, such as swallowing air, eating certain foods, or having a bacterial imbalance in the gut, and it requires different treatments depending on the underlying cause. Famotidine is not effective for treating flatulence, and it may even increase it by reducing the acidity of the stomach and altering the gut flora.
Choice D reason: Absence of constipation is not an outcome that indicates that famotidine is therapeutic. Famotidine is a medication that belongs to the class of H2 receptor antagonists, which work by blocking the action of histamine on the H2 receptors of the stomach cells, thereby reducing the production of gastric acid. Famotidine does not affect the motility or secretion of the intestines, and it is not used to treat constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Constipation can have various causes, such as dehydration, lack of fiber, medications, or bowel obstruction, and it requires different treatments depending on the underlying cause. Famotidine is not effective for treating constipation, and it may even cause it by reducing the acidity of the stomach and slowing down the digestion.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Ancef (ciprofloxacin) is not the correct answer for the nurse who anticipates administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic to a client diagnosed with a beta lactam resistant bacteria. Ancef is the brand name of cefazolin, which is a firstgeneration cephalosporin, a subclass of beta lactam antibiotics. Cefazolin is effective against gram-positive bacteria, but has limited activity against gram negative bacteria and anaerobes. Cefazolin is also susceptible to beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by some bacteria to degrade beta lactam antibiotics and confer resistance. The nurse should avoid using Ancef or any other beta lactam antibiotic for a client with a beta lactam resistant bacteria.
Choice B reason: Merrem (meropenem) is the correct answer for the nurse who anticipates administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic to a client diagnosed with a beta lactam resistant bacteria. Merrem is the brand name of meropenem, which is a carbapenem, a subclass of beta lactam antibiotics. Meropenem is effective against a wide range of bacteria, including gram-positive, gram negative, and anaerobic bacteria. Meropenem is also resistant to most beta-lactamase enzymes, except for metallo-beta-lactamase’s, which are rare and can be detected by laboratory tests. The nurse should consider using Merrem or another carbapenem for a client with a beta lactam resistant bacteria, unless they have a history of allergy or intolerance to beta lactam antibiotics .
Choice C reason: Flagyl (metronidazole) is not the correct answer for the nurse who anticipates administering a broad spectrum antibiotic to a client diagnosed with a beta lactam resistant bacteria. Flagyl is the brand name of metronidazole, which is a nitroimidazole antibiotic. Metronidazole is effective against anaerobic bacteria and some protozoa, but has no activity against aerobic bacteria. Metronidazole is not a beta lactam antibiotic, and it is not affected by beta-lactamase enzymes. However, metronidazole is not a broad spectrum antibiotic, and it is not suitable for treating infections caused by aerobic bacteria, which are more common than anaerobic bacteria. The nurse should use Flagyl only for specific indications, such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or Clostridioides difficile infection .
Choice D reason: Zosyn (piperacillin tazobactam) is not the correct answer for the nurse who anticipates administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic to a client diagnosed with a beta lactam resistant bacterium. Zosyn is the brand name of piperacillin tazobactam, which is a combination of penicillin, a subclass of beta lactam antibiotics, and a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Piperacillin is effective against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but it is susceptible to beta-lactamase enzymes. Tazobactam is a compound that binds to and inhibits some beta-lactamase enzymes, thereby protecting piperacillin from degradation and extending its spectrum of activity. However, piperacillin tazobactam is not effective against all types of beta-lactamase enzymes, especially those that are encoded by plasmids and can be transferred between bacteria. The nurse should not use Zosyn or any other beta lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination for a client with a beta lactam resistant bacterium unless the specific type of beta-lactamase is known and susceptible to the inhibitor.
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