What is an example of a risk factor in a patient with a heart attack?

Choice A Reason:

Discontinuing the drug at the first signs of toxicity might seem like a straightforward solution, but it is not always the best approach. Some drugs are essential for treating serious conditions, and stopping them abruptly can cause more harm than good. Instead, the nurse should monitor the patient closely and consult with the healthcare provider to adjust the dosage or switch to a safer alternative if necessary.

Choice B Reason:

Teaching the patient how to treat symptoms if they develop is important, but it is not sufficient on its own. While patient education is a crucial aspect of managing drug side effects, it should be part of a broader strategy that includes regular monitoring and medical supervision.

Choice C Reason:

Ensuring that complete blood counts are ordered periodically is a good practice, especially for drugs that can affect blood cells. However, this approach is too narrow. Toxic side effects can impact various organs and systems, so a comprehensive monitoring plan is necessary.

Choice D Reason:

This is the correct answer. Monitoring the function of all organs potentially affected by the drug is the most comprehensive and effective approach. This includes regular blood tests, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and other relevant assessments. By closely monitoring the patient’s organ functions, the healthcare team can detect early signs of toxicity and take appropriate action to prevent serious complications.

Choice A Reason:

To determine how much of the medication remains in the body after a certain period, we need to understand the concept of half-life. The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the bloodstream to reduce by half. For Medication A, the half-life is 3 hours. After 12 hours, which is four half-lives, the amount of medication remaining can be calculated step by step.

Choice B Reason:

Let’s break down the calculation. Initially, the patient receives 400 mg of Medication A. After the first half-life (3 hours), the amount of medication remaining is 400 mg ÷ 2 = 200 mg. After the second half-life (6 hours), the amount remaining is 200 mg ÷ 2 = 100 mg. After the third half-life (9 hours), the amount remaining is 100 mg ÷ 2 = 50 mg. Finally, after the fourth half-life (12 hours), the amount remaining is 50 mg ÷ 2 = 25 mg. Therefore, 375 mg is not a correct answer.

Choice C Reason:

Similarly, 150 mg is not correct. As shown in the detailed calculation, the amount of medication decreases by half every 3 hours. After 12 hours, the remaining amount is 25 mg, not 150 mg. This choice does not align with the half-life calculation.

Choice D Reason:

This is the correct answer. The step-by-step calculation shows that after 12 hours, which is equivalent to four half-lives, the amount of Medication A remaining in the patient’s body is 25 mg. This demonstrates the principle of half-life and how the concentration of a drug decreases over time.