The nurse assessed a client with a toxic level of medication with a half-life of 2 hours. The current toxic level is 40 mEq/dL. The normal range for the medication is 5-10 mEq/L. How many hours will it take for the medication to reach the normal range?
25 hours
24 hours
2 hours
4 hours
The Correct Answer is A
The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for the concentration of the medication in the body to decrease by half. In this case, the medication has a half-life of 2 hours and a current toxic level of 40 mEq/dL. After 2 hours, the level will decrease to 20 mEq/dL. After another 2 hours (4 hours total), the level will decrease to 10 mEq/dL, which is within the normal range. However, it will take another 21 half-lives (42 hours) for the level to reach 5 mEq/dL, which is the lower end of the normal range. Therefore, it will take a total of 25 hours (4 + 21) for the medication to reach the normal range.
Option B is incorrect because it would take much longer than 24 hours for the medication to reach the normal range.
Option C is incorrect because it would only take 2 hours for the medication to decrease by half, not reach the normal range.
Option D is incorrect because it would take longer than 4 hours for the medication to reach the normal range.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
An agonist is a molecule that can bind to and activate a receptor to induce a biological response ³. Agonists can be endogenous molecules, such as hormones or neurotransmitters, or medications that mimic the action of endogenous agonists ³.
Option A is incorrect because an agonist does not prevent receptor activation by other medications.
Option C is incorrect because an agonist does not increase the affinity of a receptor for a different medication.
Option D is incorrect because an agonist does not both block and activate a receptor.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
According to web search results, the total phenytoin reference range for children and adults is **10-20 µg/mL**¹. This means that a level of 17 mcg/mL falls within the therapeutic range.
Option A is within the therapeutic range but is on the lower end.
Option B is below the therapeutic range.
Option C is above the therapeutic range and could be considered toxic.
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