Which statement is true regarding the therapeutic index of a medication?
Medications with a low therapeutic index are more likely to cause adverse effects.
Medications with a high therapeutic index will require peak/trough monitoring.
Medications with a high therapeutic index have a high potential for abuse.
Medications with a low therapeutic index have a higher margin of safety.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Medications with a low therapeutic index are more likely to cause adverse effects: A low therapeutic index means the difference between the therapeutic dose and toxic dose is narrow. Even small dosing errors can lead to toxicity, so these drugs require close monitoring to prevent adverse effects.
B. Medications with a high therapeutic index will require peak/trough monitoring: Drugs with a high therapeutic index have a wide safety margin, meaning toxic effects are unlikely at therapeutic doses. Peak and trough monitoring is usually unnecessary for such medications.
C. Medications with a high therapeutic index have a high potential for abuse: The therapeutic index measures drug safety, not abuse potential. A drug may be safe but still carry a high risk for misuse depending on its psychoactive properties, not its therapeutic range.
D. Medications with a low therapeutic index have a higher margin of safety: A low therapeutic index indicates a smaller margin of safety, meaning dosing must be precise to avoid toxic levels. Examples include digoxin and lithium.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A hydrophilic medication that is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier: Hydrophilic drugs do not easily pass through lipid membranes like the blood-brain barrier, but this property does not define a depot medication which are characterized by prolonged release, not solubility or blood-brain barrier permeability.
B. An intramuscular injection that is released slowly over a long period of time: Depot medications are typically given intramuscularly or subcutaneously and formulated to release the active drug gradually. This provides sustained therapeutic effects over days or weeks, improving adherence and maintaining stable drug levels.
C. A tablet that is placed under the tongue in order to be absorbed quickly: Sublingual tablets are designed for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa, bypassing first-pass metabolism. This route provides immediate effects, which is the opposite of the slow, sustained action seen with depot medications.
D. A capsule that is formulated for a sustained release: Although sustained-release capsules also allow gradual drug absorption, they are taken orally and work through controlled dissolution. Depot medications differ in that they are injectable and create a long-lasting drug reservoir within body tissues.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Applying warning stickers on high-alert medications: This practice helps alert nurses and pharmacists to drugs with a high risk of causing harm if used incorrectly. It enhances medication safety and decreases, rather than increases, the risk of errors.
B. Use of bright lights in the medication room: Adequate lighting improves visibility when preparing and administering medications, helping healthcare providers read labels clearly. Proper illumination minimizes mistakes and therefore reduces medication error risk.
C. Using the tall man lettering system on medication labels: Tall man lettering highlights the differing portions of look-alike drug names (e.g., DOPamine vs. DOBUTamine), helping prevent confusion and selection errors. This safety strategy decreases the likelihood of medication mix-ups.
D. Store look alike medications together: Placing medications with similar names or packaging near each other increases the chance of grabbing the wrong drug. This practice significantly raises the risk of medication errors, especially in fast-paced clinical settings.
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