Author Question: The patient receives antibiotics for a serious infection. The patient asks the nurse, Why don't you ... (Read 107 times)

RYAN BANYAN · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The patient receives antibiotics for a serious infection. The patient asks the nurse, Why don't you just give me more of that drug to cure this infection faster? What is the best response by the nurse?

1. I will check with the doctor to see if it is time to increase the medication.
2. You are at a maximum dose; taking more will cause interactions with other medications.
3. You must stay on this drug for 2 more weeks before it can be increased.
4. You are at a maximum dose; taking more will not help.

Question 2

Prior to administering medications, the student nurse reviews the therapeutic index. Which statement best describes the student's understanding of therapeutic index?

1. The student is able to determine if the physician prescribed the best drug for the patient.
2. The student is able to determine if the patients are receiving safe doses of the medications.
3. The student is able to identify interactions among the drugs each patient is receiving.
4. The student is able to identify the patients who will need to have serum blood levels monitored.

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

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: When the plateau of a drug has been reached, administering more of the drug will not produce additional benefit. Once the plateau of a drug has been reached, there is no time frame for an increase in dosage because an increase in dosage will not produce a greater effect. Telling the patient the nurse will check with the physician is inappropriate because the plateau of the drug has been reached; the physician will not change the dosage. An increase in dosage may cause interactions with other medications, but this is not the best answer.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have a low safety margin and the concentration of the drug should be monitored by regular serum tests. The therapeutic index will give some information about safe doses, but this is not the most complete response. The therapeutic index will not help to determine if the physician prescribed the best drug for the patient. The therapeutic index will not help to identify interactions among the drugs the patients receive.