Author Question: The nurse administers 100 mg of a drug at 0800 . The drug's biological half-life is 4 hours. A serum ... (Read 123 times)

cdr_15 · **on:** Jul 24, 2018

The nurse administers 100 mg of a drug at 0800 . The drug's biological half-life is 4 hours. A serum drug level is drawn at 1600 . The nurse should anticipate ___________ milligrams will be left in the body at 1600?

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Question 2

An appropriate technique for the nurse to implement for the patient who is being casted is to:

a. apply ice to the top of the cast.
b. maintain the extremity below heart level.
c. handle the wet cast with the fingertips.
d. fold the stockinette or padding over the outer cast edges.

ky860224 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2018

Answer to Question 1

25 mg
Biological half-life is the time it takes for excretion processes to lower the serum medication concentration by half. After the first half-life (1200), 50 mg will be left in the body. After the second half-life (1600), 25 mg will be left in the body. Each half-life lowers the amount of drug in the body by half.

Answer to Question 2

D
Assist with finishing by folding the stockinette or other padding down over the outer edge of the cast to provide a smooth edge. Smooth edges lessen possible skin irritation. When the cast is finished with a stockinette, later petaling with tape is not required when the cast is dry. Elevation and ice can be ordered, but ice would not be applied to the top of the wet cast because the weight could change the shape of the cast, causing indentations that can lead to pressure areas. Maintain elevation at or above heart level; elevation enhances venous return and decreases edema. Handle the casted extremity with palms only until the cast is dry. Fingers can cause indentations that can lead to pressure areas.