Author Question: A patient is in the clinic to have blood drawn to assess his or her theophylline level. The patient ... (Read 84 times)

audragclark · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is in the clinic to have blood drawn to assess his or her theophylline level. The patient is taking theophylline (Theo-Dur) and appears to being doing well on the drug. He or she reports no problems.

What serum level will the nurse expect the patient to have? A) Between 0.5 to 5 mcg/mL
B) Between 10 to 20 mcg/mL
C) Between 25 to 35 mcg/mL
D) Between 40 to 50 mcg/mL

Question 2

A patient has had sotalol (Betapace) ordered for treatment of a ventricular arrhythmia. What will the nurse consider when administering the drug?

A) Sotalol has a very short duration of action
B) Food increases the bioavailability of the drug
C) Absorption of sotalol is decreased by the presence of food
D) The drug is best administered intramuscularly

cpetit11 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Therapeutic theophylline levels should be between 10 and 20 mcg/mL. A level between 0.5 and 5 mcg/mL would be low and would not produce a therapeutic effect. Levels between 25 and 50 mcg/mL would be too high and could cause serious adverse effects.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
This drug should not be taken with food because absorption is decreased. The drug should be given 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Adenosine, not sotalol, has a very short duration of action and food increases the bioavailability of propranolol. Sotalol is administered by oral route only.