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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.

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.

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

Administering an expired medication is unsafe. Even if the medication appears unchanged, its potency, stability, and effectiveness may be compromised.

There is no medication error in this scenario, as the nurse has not yet administered the drug. However, the pharmacy should be notified so that a replacement can be provided.

Verifying the right patient is part of safe medication administration, but it does not address the issue of the expired medication. The correct response is to obtain a non-expired dose from the pharmacy.

While medication adherence is important, the primary reason for asking about alternative therapies is not due to concerns about compliance. Patients may use alternative therapies alongside prescribed medications, potentially leading to harmful interactions.

While some natural products may have therapeutic benefits, they are not necessarily more effective than prescribed medications. Healthcare providers should base treatment decisions on evidence-based practice rather than assuming an alternative therapy is superior.

Financial concerns are important but not the primary reason for inquiring about alternative therapies. The nurse’s main concern is the potential for harmful drug interactions rather than the cost burden on the patient.

The ages and relationships of household members are subjective data because they are reported by the patient and not directly measured or observed.

Usual dietary patterns and intake are also subjective data, as they rely on patient self-reporting rather than measurable, verifiable findings.

A list of herbal supplements regularly used is subjective because it depends on the patient’s recall and self-reporting rather than objective measurement.

Washing hands before handling medications is essential for infection control but is not the priority action in this scenario. Ensuring drug compatibility is crucial to prevent adverse interactions.

Checking for drug allergies is important before giving any medication, but it is not the priority in this specific situation. Compatibility must be assessed first to ensure the drugs can be given together safely.

Keeping the remaining drug in the patient’s drawer is unsafe and violates controlled substance regulations. Single-use vials should not be stored for later use.

While documentation of administered medication is necessary, simply recording the unused amount in the patient’s chart is insufficient. Controlled substances require proper disposal with a witness.

Controlled substances cannot be discarded in a general locked collection box without proper witnessing and documentation. The correct procedure is to have another nurse verify and cosign the waste before disposal.

Complete blood count (CBC) and serum glucose levels are important for overall health monitoring but do not specifically assess drug metabolism or excretion, which are key factors in drug toxicity.

Pancreatic enzymes and urinalysis are useful for detecting pancreatic disorders and infections but are not primary indicators of drug toxicity.

Serum lipids and electrolytes are important for cardiovascular and metabolic health but do not directly assess drug metabolism or toxicity risk.

While pediatric doses are often weight-based, this does not fully account for differences in drug metabolism and effects in children. Pediatric drug safety requires specific testing beyond weight comparisons to adults.

Relying on repeated use over time to determine safety is not an evidence-based approach. Drug approval for pediatric use requires formal clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy.

While some post-marketing studies may include children, initial approval for pediatric use requires pre-market clinical testing. Relying solely on post-marketing studies does not ensure comprehensive safety data before widespread pediatric use.

Duration of action refers to the length of time a drug remains effective after reaching the MEC, but it does not describe the time required to reach this threshold.

Peak action time refers to the time at which the drug reaches its highest concentration in the bloodstream, not the time required to reach the MEC.

The time response curve is a graphical representation of a drug's effects over time but does not specifically define the time needed to reach the MEC.

Evaluation occurs after the medication has been administered and involves assessing the patient's response to the drug. In this case, the nurse is reviewing information before administration, making evaluation an incorrect choice.

Implementation refers to carrying out the nursing interventions, such as actually administering the medication. Since the nurse is still reviewing data, this step has not yet been reached.

Planning involves setting goals and determining appropriate interventions, but it does not include the direct collection of patient data. Reviewing lab values and allergies falls under the assessment phase.