Author Question: A pregnant patient is taking a medication that may produce toxicity if it is prolonged in her body. ... (Read 39 times)

rayancarla1 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A pregnant patient is taking a medication that may produce toxicity if it is prolonged in her body. Which physiological change in the pregnant woman would be the most likely cause of an increased risk of toxicity?

a. Increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
b. Decreased renal blood flow
c. Prolonged transit through the gut
d. Increased hepatic metabolism

Question 2

A nurse is providing patient education regarding the development of drug tolerance. Which statement made by the nurse is correct with regard to the development of drug tolerance?

a. Drug tolerance is most often seen with the use of opioids.
b. The patient will require a greater dosage of drug for the same effect to be achieved if tolerance has developed.
c. Tolerance depends on the patient's ability to metabolize the drug.
d. Addiction may develop if the drug is not fully excreted, leading to tolerance.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Prolonged transit means more time for drugs to be absorbed, and this could increase the levels of drugs for which absorption is normally poor; therefore, prolonged transit increases the possibility of toxicity.
An increased GFR would expedite the passage of drugs through the system and therefore would be least likely to produce toxicity.
Decreased renal blood flow does not occur in the third trimester of pregnancy, therefore it is not relevant to this situation.
Increased hepatic metabolism would not affect toxicity.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
When a patient is assessed as requiring a greater dosage of a medication to achieve the same effect as with a previously lower dosage, a drug tolerance may have developed.
Drug tolerance may be seen with multiple medications, not only with opiates.
Drug tolerance is not dependent on the patient's ability to metabolize the drug.
Addiction typically is related to a physiological or psychological need for a drug, not the requirement of a higher dosage.