Author Question: The student nurse asks the nursing instructor why drug plateaus occur with medications. What is ... (Read 53 times)

NClaborn · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The student nurse asks the nursing instructor why drug plateaus occur with medications. What is (are) the best response(s) by the nursing instructor?

1. It could be that all of the receptors for the drug are occupied.
2. It may mean that the drug has brought 100 relief to the patient.
3. It means that the patient has developed resistance and needs another drug.
4. It probably means that the drug is losing efficacy.
5. It means that the patient needs a higher dose of the drug.

Question 2

The home health nurse notes that the elderly patient doubled up on his pain medication, even though the prescribed dose was at a therapeutic level. The patient says, If one pill is good, two pills are better.

Which statement best describes the result of the patient's action?
1. The patient develops tolerance and does not experience any difference.
2. The patient experiences more pain relief from the additional dose.
3. The patient develops tolerance and will need increased doses of the drug.
4. The patient exhibits side effects from the additional dose.

alexisweber49 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2
Rationale: Drug plateaus occur with medications because all the receptors for the drug are occupied; the drug has brought 100 relief to the patient. A drug plateau is not related to efficacy of the drug. When a drug has reached its plateau, giving additional amounts will not result in an increased therapeutic effect.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, increasing the dose may produce adverse effects. Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, increased doses will not provide added therapeutic benefit, such as more pain relief. Tolerance may occur, but is not the primary issue here.