The healthcare provider orders azithromycin (Zithromax) 1000mg to be given as a loading dose. The nurse understands that the purpose of this loading dose is to:

Increase the duration of action of the medication

Decrease the frequency of subsequent doses.

Achieve therapeutic drug levels more rapidly

Minimize the risk of adverse effects

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Increase the duration of action of the medication:
A loading dose is not intended to increase the duration of action of a medication. Instead, it aims to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. The duration of action is primarily influenced by the drug's half-life and how it's metabolized and excreted, rather than the initial dose.

B. Decrease the frequency of subsequent doses:
The primary goal of a loading dose is to reach therapeutic levels quickly, not necessarily to alter the frequency of future doses. While a loading dose can help achieve therapeutic levels faster, the dosing schedule is determined by the drug's pharmacokinetics and the condition being treated.

C. Achieve therapeutic drug levels more rapidly:
The main purpose of a loading dose is to quickly achieve a concentration of the medication in the blood that is sufficient to be therapeutic. By giving a larger initial dose, the medication reaches effective levels faster compared to gradually reaching those levels with smaller, incremental doses.

D. Minimize the risk of adverse effects:
Minimizing adverse effects is not the primary aim of a loading dose. While achieving therapeutic levels quickly may indirectly help in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes, the main purpose of a loading dose is to reach effective drug levels promptly, not specifically to reduce adverse effects.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

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.

A. Palliative therapy B. Prophylactic therapy C. Maintenance Therapy D. Empiric therapy

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Palliative therapy: Palliative therapy is aimed at providing relief from symptoms and improving the quality of life in patients with serious or terminal illnesses. It does not pertain to the use of antibiotics before culture results are available.

B) Prophylactic therapy: Prophylactic therapy is used to prevent the occurrence of an illness or infection before it happens. For example, antibiotics given before surgery to prevent infections would be considered prophylactic therapy, but this is not the case here.

C) Maintenance therapy: Maintenance therapy is used to sustain a desired level of therapeutic effect after an initial treatment phase. It focuses on keeping a condition under control rather than addressing an acute or uncertain condition.

D) Empiric therapy: Empiric therapy refers to the use of antibiotics or other medications based on clinical judgment and initial symptoms before the results of diagnostic tests, such as wound cultures, are available. This approach is used to start treatment promptly and manage the infection while awaiting precise identification of the pathogen.

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The healthcare provider orders azithromycin (Zithromax) 1000mg to be given as a loading dose. The nurse understands that the purpose of this loading dose is to:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is ["C","E","F"]

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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