The nurse administers a narcotic analgesic to a patient who has ...

[Bob-Dole]

The nurse administers a narcotic analgesic to a patient who has been receiving it for 1 day after orthopedic surgery. The patient reports no change in pain 30 minutes after the medication is given. The nurse recognizes that this patient is exhibiting
 
  a. drug-seeking behavior.
  b. drug tolerance.
  c. the placebo effect.
  d. tachyphylaxis.

Question 2

The nurse is explaining to the patient why a nonspecific drug has so many side effects. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
 
  a. Nonspecific drugs can affect specific receptor types in different body tissues.
  b. Nonspecific drugs can affect a variety of receptor types in similar body tissues.
  c. Nonspecific drugs can affect hormone secretion as well as cellular functions.
  d. Nonspecific drugs require higher doses than specific drugs to be effective.

[Ahnyah]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Tachyphylaxis is a rapid decrease in response, or acute tolerance. Tolerance to drug effects can occur with narcotics, requiring increased doses in order to achieve adequate drug effects. Nurses often mistake drug-seeking behavior for drug tolerance. The placebo effect occurs when the patient experiences a response with an inactive drug.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Nonspecific drugs can act on one type of receptor but in different body tissues, or a variety of receptor types, or act on hormones to produce effects. Nonspecific drugs do not require higher doses.

[Bob-Dole]

Excellent

[chereeb]

Great answer, keep it coming