LEHNE’S PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS
FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES
AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
QUESTIONS AND THEIR REVIEWED
ANSWERS
Define idiosyncratic effect
An uncommon drug response resulting from a genetic
predisposition.
*Ex:) when people with glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency take drugs such as
sulfonamides or aspirin, they develop varying degrees of
red blood cell hemolysis, which may become life
threatening.
What is the intensity of an allergic drug reaction based
on?
What is it not based on?
- the degree of immune system sensitization
- it is not based on drug dosage.
What is the risk of drugs that prolong the QT interval?
Torsades de pointes, a dysrhythmia that can progress to
fatal ventricular fibrillation.
What is a major cause of morbidity and mortality?
Medication errors
, What are the three most common causes of fatal
medication errors?
- human factors (e.g., performance or knowledge deficits)
-miscommunication (e.g., because of illegible prescriber
handwriting)
- confusion caused by similarities in drug names
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory value for a
patient prescribed atorvastatin [Lipitor]. Which
laboratory value is most useful for monitoring this
drug?
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
The nurse is monitoring for adverse drug reactions
(ADRs) of assigned patients. Which patient is most at
risk for the development of drug toxicity?
A. A 30-year-old man admitted for altered mental
status
B. A 55-year-old woman with abnormal arterial blood
gas values
C. A 70-year-old woman with an elevated creatinine
level
D. A laboring 25-year-old woman with a positive
Homans' sign
C. A 70-year-old woman with an elevated creatinine level
The liver, kidneys, and bone marrow are important sites of
drug toxicity. Creatinine is a measure of kidney function
and would be the most helpful for monitoring for ADRs. In
addition, patients over age 65 years are at greater risk for
FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES
AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
QUESTIONS AND THEIR REVIEWED
ANSWERS
Define idiosyncratic effect
An uncommon drug response resulting from a genetic
predisposition.
*Ex:) when people with glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency take drugs such as
sulfonamides or aspirin, they develop varying degrees of
red blood cell hemolysis, which may become life
threatening.
What is the intensity of an allergic drug reaction based
on?
What is it not based on?
- the degree of immune system sensitization
- it is not based on drug dosage.
What is the risk of drugs that prolong the QT interval?
Torsades de pointes, a dysrhythmia that can progress to
fatal ventricular fibrillation.
What is a major cause of morbidity and mortality?
Medication errors
, What are the three most common causes of fatal
medication errors?
- human factors (e.g., performance or knowledge deficits)
-miscommunication (e.g., because of illegible prescriber
handwriting)
- confusion caused by similarities in drug names
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory value for a
patient prescribed atorvastatin [Lipitor]. Which
laboratory value is most useful for monitoring this
drug?
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
The nurse is monitoring for adverse drug reactions
(ADRs) of assigned patients. Which patient is most at
risk for the development of drug toxicity?
A. A 30-year-old man admitted for altered mental
status
B. A 55-year-old woman with abnormal arterial blood
gas values
C. A 70-year-old woman with an elevated creatinine
level
D. A laboring 25-year-old woman with a positive
Homans' sign
C. A 70-year-old woman with an elevated creatinine level
The liver, kidneys, and bone marrow are important sites of
drug toxicity. Creatinine is a measure of kidney function
and would be the most helpful for monitoring for ADRs. In
addition, patients over age 65 years are at greater risk for
