A patient is prescribed a trough blood level to evaluate the ...

[ARLKQ]

A patient is prescribed a trough blood level to evaluate the therapeutic effect of an antibiotic. When should the nurse schedule this blood test to be drawn?
 
  1. a few minutes before the next scheduled dose of medication
  2. 12 hours after the oral administration of the medication
  3. 30 minutes after the intravenous administration of the medication
  4. during the infusion of the antibiotic

Question 2

The nurse is instructing a patient on ways to prevent the onset of infection. What should the nurse include in these instructions?
 
  1. Wash the hands after using disposable tissues for nasal secretions.
  2. Reuse disposable razors.
  3. Take prescribed antibiotics until symptoms subside.
  4. Do not limit interactions with people or crowds.

[sabina576]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

Antibiotic peak and trough levels monitor therapeutic blood levels of the prescribed medication. The trough level is drawn a few minutes before the next scheduled dose. The peak level would be 12 hours after the oral administration of a medication and 30 minutes after the intravenous administration of a medication. Drawing the blood during the infusion of the antibiotic would not yield either a peak or a trough level.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

One way to reduce the spread of infection is to use disposable tissues for nasal secretions and wash the hands afterwards. Reusing disposable razors could cause an infection. Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed, not until symptoms subside. Limiting interactions with people and crowds is one way to reduce the spread of infection.