A client receiving antibiotics for a serious infection asks the ...

[ARLKQ]

A client receiving antibiotics for a serious infection asks the nurse, Why don't you just give me more of that drug to cure the infection faster? Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
 
  1. I will check with the doctor to see if it is time to increase the medication.
  2. You are at maximum dose; taking more will not help.
  3. You are at a maximum dose; taking more will cause interactions with other medications.
  4. You must stay on this drug for two more weeks before the dosage can be increased.

Question 2

Prior to administering medications, the nurse reviews the therapeutic index. What is the therapeutic index used to identify?
 
  1. Whether the health are provider has prescribed the best drug for the client
  2. When a client will begin to experience toxic drug effects
  3. Interactions among the drugs the client is receiving
  4. Clients who will need to have serum blood levels monitored

[amandalm]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The drug plateau has been reached; the nurse can provide this explanation to the client.
Rationale 2: When the plateau of a drug has been reached, administering more of the drug will not produce additional benefit.
Rationale 3: An increase in dosage could cause interactions with other medications, but this is not the best answer.
Rationale 4: Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, there is no time frame for an increase in dosage because an increase will not produce a greater effect.
Global Rationale: When the plateau of a drug has been reached, administering more of the drug will not produce additional benefit. The drug plateau has been reached; the nurse can provide this explanation to the client. An increase in dosage could cause interactions with other medications, but this is not the best answer. Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, there is no time frame for an increase in dosage because an increase will not produce a greater effect.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The therapeutic index does not help to determine whether the best drug has been prescribed for the client.
Rationale 2: The therapeutic index does not determine toxic doses of a drug, and clients differ in their response to drugs.
Rationale 3: The therapeutic index does not help to identify interactions among drugs.
Rationale 4: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have low margins of safety and need to be monitored through serum drug levels.
Global Rationale: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have low margins of safety and need to be monitored through serum drug levels. The therapeutic index does not help to determine whether the best drug has been prescribed for the client. The therapeutic index does not determine toxic doses of a drug, and clients differ in their response to drugs. The therapeutic index does not help to identify interactions among drugs.