A patient has been using sleeping pills every night for the past ...

[jace]

A patient has been using sleeping pills every night for the past several months. Now admitted to the hospital, he is prescribed his usual dose of sleeping pill. After administration, the patient continues to be restless and is wide awake. The nurse
 
  notifies the health care provider, who prescribes an increased dose. After receiving the new dose, the patient falls asleep. The nurse interprets this as which of the following?
 
  A) Drug idiosyncrasy
  B) Cumulative drug effect
  C) Drug tolerance
  D) Toxic reactions

Question 2

A patient is receiving digoxin as treatment for heart failure. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to monitor to reduce the risk for toxicity?
 
  A) Seizure activity
  B) Drug blood level
  C) Urinary output
  D) Blood pressure

[Eazy416]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
The patient has developed drug tolerance and has to be administered an increased dosage of the drug to achieve the desired effect. Cumulative drug effect occurs when the body is unable to metabolize and excrete one (normal) dose of a drug before the next dose is given. Drug idiosyncrasy is a term used to describe any unusual or abnormal reaction to a drug. Toxic reactions are caused when blood concentration levels exceed the therapeutic levels of a drug.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B
Feedback:
The nurse should monitor the patient's blood level of the drug to ensure that the level remains within the therapeutic range. Monitoring seizure activity, urination frequency, and blood pressure will not prevent toxicity. Seizure activity is unrelated to digoxin or heart failure.

[jace]

Gracias!

[nanny]

Excellent