A client presents to the healthcare setting with a diagnosis of chronic liver failure. The nurse understands this will affect which step of pharmacokinetics?
Absorption
Excretion
Metabolism
Distribution
The Correct Answer is C
A. Absorption:
Chronic liver failure primarily affects the metabolism of drugs rather than their absorption. While liver disease can impact various bodily functions, the absorption of medications is generally more influenced by gastrointestinal factors and not as directly affected by liver function.
B. Excretion:
Excretion of drugs is primarily managed by the kidneys, not the liver. While liver failure can lead to changes in drug metabolism, it does not directly impair the excretion process, which is largely renal. However, compromised liver function can indirectly affect renal excretion due to altered pharmacokinetics.
C. Metabolism:
Liver failure significantly affects drug metabolism. The liver is the primary site for the metabolism of many medications, converting drugs into more water-soluble compounds for excretion. In chronic liver failure, the liver's ability to metabolize drugs is impaired, leading to potential drug accumulation and increased risk of toxicity. This step of pharmacokinetics is most directly impacted by liver dysfunction.
D. Distribution:
While liver function can affect drug distribution to some extent, it is not as directly impacted as metabolism. Distribution can be influenced by factors such as changes in plasma protein levels and blood flow, but the liver's primary role in drug metabolism is more directly affected by chronic liver failure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The drug will be more effective when given in a nonenteral route:
Morphine has a high first-pass effect when taken orally, meaning that a significant amount of the drug is metabolized in the liver before it reaches systemic circulation. This reduces the amount of active drug available in the bloodstream. To avoid this extensive metabolism, morphine is often administered through nonenteral routes, such as intravenous or subcutaneous, where it bypasses the digestive system and liver first-pass metabolism, resulting in higher systemic bioavailability and effectiveness.
B. The drug will be most effective when given orally:
Due to the high first-pass effect of oral morphine, a significant portion of the drug is metabolized by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation. This means that oral morphine is often less effective compared to other routes of administration, such as intravenous, because the bioavailability of the drug is reduced.
C. The drug is excreted by the kidneys at a slower rate than most medications:
The high first-pass effect primarily affects the drug's absorption and systemic availability rather than its excretion rate. The rate at which a drug is excreted by the kidneys is generally unrelated to its first-pass effect. Morphine’s excretion is influenced by its metabolism and clearance, but not directly by the first-pass effect.
D. The kidney will metabolize some of the drug before it reaches the bloodstream:
The first-pass effect occurs primarily in the liver, not the kidneys. It involves the metabolism of the drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation. Therefore, this option incorrectly attributes the first-pass effect to kidney metabolism.
Correct Answer is ["C","E","F"]
Explanation
A. Nitroglycerin 10mg Sublingual Tablet:
Nitroglycerin taken sublingually (under the tongue) bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and the liver’s first-pass metabolism. It is designed to act quickly and directly enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes, avoiding significant first-pass effect.
B. Morphine 2mg IV (Intravenously):
Morphine administered intravenously bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and liver, thus avoiding the first-pass effect entirely. The drug directly enters systemic circulation, providing immediate effect.
C. Famotidine 10mg Tablet:
Famotidine, when taken orally, undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. This means that a portion of the drug is metabolized by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, affecting its bioavailability.
D. Nitroglycerin 4mg Sublingual Tablet:
Similar to the 10mg sublingual tablet, nitroglycerin administered sublingually bypasses the first-pass effect. The medication enters the bloodstream directly through the mucous membranes in the mouth.
E. Acetaminophen 325mg Capsule:
Acetaminophen, when taken orally, undergoes first-pass metabolism. A significant portion of the drug is metabolized in the liver before reaching systemic circulation, which can impact its overall effectiveness.
F. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25mg Tablet:
Diphenhydramine, taken orally, is also affected by the first-pass effect. As with other oral medications, a part of the drug is metabolized by the liver before reaching systemic circulation, which can affect its efficacy and bioavailability.
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