A patient is due for a 40-mg dose of furosemide (Lasix) at 9:00 AM on May 5, 2013. The drug label reads "20 mg per tablet." The tablets in the bottle appear firm and unbroken. The expiration date on the bottle reads "April 2, 2013." The best nursing action is to:
Administer one-half tablet.
Administer two tablets.
Call the pharmacy to see if 40-mg tablets are available.
Call the pharmacy for a new bottle of the medication.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Half a tablet (10 mg) underdoses; expired drugs may degrade, and 40 mg is needed for diuresis, risking therapeutic failure in this scenario.
Choice B reason: Two tablets (40 mg) meet the dose but are expired; potency loss post-April 2013 risks inefficacy or toxicity, compromising patient safety.
Choice C reason: Seeking 40-mg tablets ignores expiration; even if available, current stock is outdated, and fresh supply is still required for reliable effect.
Choice D reason: Expired drugs (April 2013) lose potency; a new bottle ensures 40 mg of active furosemide, maintaining efficacy and safety for hypertension or edema.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Trade names are brand-specific; insurance denial of the brand rules this out, as it’s the costly formulation they won’t cover for the patient.
Choice B reason: Generic drugs, bioequivalent to brands, cost less; insurance favors them, ensuring the same active ingredient and efficacy at a lower price point.
Choice C reason: Chemical names describe molecular structure, not a formulation; they’re not dispensed as drugs, making this irrelevant to insurance or pharmacy.
Choice D reason: Proprietary is synonymous with brand; if insurance denies the brand, this option is also excluded, leaving generic as the viable substitute.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Juice may alter absorption; liquid can dilute or degrade some drugs, and taste may deter intake, reducing effectiveness compared to soft food.
Choice B reason: Applesauce masks taste and aids swallowing; it ensures crushed medication is consumed fully, maintaining dose integrity without altering pharmacokinetics significantly.
Choice C reason: Water may not mask bitterness; some drugs dissolve poorly or lose potency, and patients may not finish it, risking incomplete dosing.
Choice D reason: Meat or vegetables may bind drugs; uneven distribution or strong flavors could reduce intake, compromising the full therapeutic dose delivery.
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