When given an intravenous medication, the patient asks the nurse, “I usually take pills.
Why does this medication have to be given in the arm?” What is the nurse’s best response?
“The intravenous medication will have delayed absorption into the body’s tissues.”
“The action of the medication will begin sooner when given intravenously.”
“The medication will cause fewer adverse effects when given intravenously.”
“There is a lower chance of allergic reactions when drugs are given intravenously.”
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
The statement “The intravenous medication will have delayed absorption into the body’s tissues” is incorrect. Intravenous (IV) therapy is administering fluids directly into a vein. It benefits treatment by enabling water, medication, blood, or nutrients to access the body faster through the circulatory system. This bypasses the gastric system so the body can take on more fluids quickly. Therefore, the absorption of intravenous medication into the body’s tissues is not delayed but rather immediate.
Choice B rationale:
The statement “The action of the medication will begin sooner when given intravenously” is correct. Administering a medication intravenously eliminates the process of drug absorption and breakdown by directly depositing it into the blood. This results in the immediate elevation of serum levels and high concentration in vital organs, such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. Therefore, the action of the medication begins sooner when given intravenously.
Choice C rationale:
The statement “The medication will cause fewer adverse effects when given intravenously” is not necessarily true. While some medications might cause fewer adverse effects when given intravenously, this is not a general rule for all medications. The adverse effects of a medication depend on various factors including the type of medication, the dose, the patient’s health condition, and more.
Choice D rationale:
The statement “There is a lower chance of allergic reactions when drugs are given intravenously” is not necessarily true. The chance of allergic reactions depends on various factors including the type of drug, the patient’s immune response, previous exposure to the drug, and more. It’s not related to the route of administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant drug used in the prophylaxis and control of various types of seizures. It has a narrow therapeutic index, which means that the safe and toxic plasma levels of the drug are very close to each other. This characteristic makes the dosing of phenytoin challenging, as even small deviations from the recommended therapeutic range can lead to suboptimal treatment or adverse effects. Therapeutic effect without clinical signs of toxicity occurs more often with serum total concentrations between 10 and 20 mcg/mL34. Therefore, clinicians are advised to initiate therapeutic drug monitoring in patients who require phenytoin.
Choice B rationale:
The statement that phenytoin has a low chance of being effective is incorrect. Phenytoin is a widely used and effective anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. It is used to control seizures but does not treat all types of seizures. The effectiveness of phenytoin is not determined by its narrow therapeutic index but by its pharmacological action in the brain.
Choice C rationale:
The assertion that there is no difference between safe and toxic plasma levels of phenytoin is incorrect. There is indeed a difference between the safe (therapeutic) and toxic levels of phenytoin. The therapeutic range for phenytoin is typically between 10 and 20 mcg/mL34. Levels above this range can lead to toxicity, while levels below this range may not provide the desired therapeutic effect.
Choice D rationale:
The statement that a very small dosage of phenytoin can result in the desired therapeutic effect is not entirely accurate. While it’s true that phenytoin is effective in controlling seizures, the dosage required to achieve this effect is not necessarily “very small”. The usual adult dose for seizures is 100 mg orally 3 times a day. The dosage may need to be adjusted based on individual patient factors and response to therapy. Therefore, it’s not accurate to generalize that a “very small” dosage will result in the desired therapeutic effect for all patients.
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
Let’s solve the medication math problem step by step:
Step 1: Identify the total daily dose of amoxicillin. The total daily dose is 2 gm/day.
Step 2: Convert the total daily dose from grams to milligrams, as the available medication is in milligrams. We know that 1 gm = 1000 mg, so 2 gm = 2000 mg.
Step 3: The total daily dose is divided into two doses. So, each dose will be 2000 mg ÷ 2 = 1000 mg.
Step 4: Determine the number of tablets for each dose. Each tablet contains 500 mg of amoxicillin. So, the number of tablets for each dose is 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
So, the nurse should administer 2 tablets of amoxicillin with each dose.
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