The nurse reviews information about a drug and notes the initials ...

[ETearle]

The nurse reviews information about a drug and notes the initials USP after the drug's official name. The nurse understands that this designation indicates the drug
 
  a. is a controlled substance.
  b. is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  c. is available in generic form.
  d. meets quality and safety standards.

Question 2

A patient receives a prescription on which the provider has noted that a generic medication may be given. The patient asks the nurse what this means. What will the nurse tell the patient about generic drugs?
 
  a. They contain the same inert ingredients as brand-name drugs.
  b. They have chemical structures that are identical to proprietary drugs.
  c. They tend to be less expensive than brand-name drugs.
  d. They undergo extensive testing before they are marketed.

[raili21]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The USP designation is given to drugs that have met high standards for therapeutic use, patient safety, quality, purity, strength, packaging safety, and dosage form by the United States Pharmacopoeia National Formulary. The FDA classifies controlled substances with Roman numerals from I to V. The USP designation does not indicate FDA approval. The USP designation does not indicate generic availability.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Generic drugs are approved by the FDA if they are proved to be bioequivalent to the brand-name drug. They tend to be less expensive because manufacturers of these drugs do not have to do the extensive testing required of brand-name drugs before marketing. They are not identical to brand-name drugs and often have different inert ingredients.

[ETearle]

Gracias!

[kishoreddi]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it