The nurse admits a patient to the unit and learns the patient has recently been diagnosed with chronic renal failure but has not informed the primary care provider of this diagnosis.
What is the nurse’s first priority?

Choice A rationale

Many complementary or alternative therapies can interact with prescribed medications, potentially causing serious health problems.

Choice B rationale

This is not a valid reason for asking about alternative therapies, as the nurse's role is to ensure safe and effective use of prescribed medications.

Choice C rationale

Non-compliance is not the primary concern when asking about alternative therapies; potential interactions are.

Choice D rationale

The cost of treatments is a consideration, but it is not the primary reason for asking about alternative therapies.

Choice A rationale

The half-life of a drug refers to the time it takes for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce by half. It is not a primary consideration when substituting generic drugs for brand-name drugs.

Choice B rationale

Critical concentration is the amount of a drug needed to achieve therapeutic effects. While important, it is not the main factor in generic substitution.

Choice C rationale

Distribution describes how a drug is dispersed throughout the body's tissues and fluids. This factor is crucial for drug efficacy but not directly related to substituting generic drugs.

Choice D rationale

Bioavailability is the degree and rate at which an active drug ingredient is absorbed and becomes available at the site of action. Generic drugs must have the same bioavailability as brand-name drugs to ensure they are just as effective.