The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is receiving multiple medications. When monitoring this patient for potential drug toxicity, the nurse should review which lab values closely?

A. The statement that no drug remains is incorrect. A drug with a half-life of 8 hours will not be completely eliminated in 24 hours, as it follows a predictable pattern of reduction.

B. A reduction to 50 mg would require additional half-life intervals beyond 24 hours. The drug concentration decreases by half every 8 hours, meaning it would take more than 24 hours to reach this level.

C. The correct calculation follows the half-life principle:

- At 8 hours: 800 mg → 400 mg

- At 16 hours: 400 mg → 200 mg

- At 24 hours: 200 mg → 100 mg

Therefore, 100 mg of the drug remains after 24 hours.

D. While 200 mg is a step in the process, it represents the amount remaining after only 16 hours, not the full 24-hour period.

A. The Drug Regulation and Reform Act focuses on expediting drug approval processes and does not specifically govern drug administration by nurses.

B. The FDA Amendments Act primarily expands the authority of the FDA over drug safety and post-marketing surveillance but does not directly regulate nursing drug administration.

C. Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs) are state laws that define the scope of nursing practice, including drug administration. These laws outline nurses' responsibilities, legal limitations, and requirements for safe medication administration.

D. The Controlled Substances Act regulates the manufacture, distribution, and classification of controlled substances but does not govern all aspects of drug administration by nurses.