Author Question: Which of the following drugs indicates the patient is toxic with a serum level of 1.5 mEq/L? A. ... (Read 64 times)

burton19126 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

Which of the following drugs indicates the patient is toxic with a serum level of 1.5 mEq/L?

A.
Lithium
B.
Ritalin
C.
Tofranil
D.
Buspar

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) are used cautiously with the elderly population?

A.
Central nervous system effects
B.
Cardiovascular system effects
C.
Gastrointestinal system effects
D.
Serotonin syndrome effects

nekcihc358 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
When the drug lithium cannot be cleared and excreted by the kidney, toxicity can occur. A 1.5 toxicity lithium level is considered mild.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The TCAs affect norepinephrine as well as other neurotransmitters and thus have significant cardiovascular side effects. Therefore, they are used with caution in elderly clients who may have increased risk factors for cardiac problems because of their age and other medical conditions. The remaining side effects would apply to any patient taking a TCA and are not particular to an elderly person.