PHARMACOLOGY Your text here 1
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for a drug with a high potential
for toxicity. Which of the following information should the nurse include? (select all that apply)
[] periodic laboratory tests are essential to measure serum drug levels
[] monitoring for indications of toxicity is important
[] taking the drug with an inducing agent will increase the possibility of toxicity
[] taking the smallest effective dose is crucial
[] increasing fluid intake is recommended to avoid toxicity
Answers: Periodic laboratory tests are essential for measuring serum drug levels is correct.
*Clients who are taking drugs that have a high potential for toxicity should undergo regular monitoring
of serum drug levels to be certain the drug level stays within the therapeutic range.
Monitoring for indications of toxicity is important is correct.
*Drugs that have a high potential for toxicity can quickly build up to toxic levels in the blood, resulting
in effects that can be irreversible or life-threatening. Therefore, the nurse should monitor for
manifestations of toxicity particular to the drug the client is taking.
Taking the smallest effective dose is crucial is correct.
*It is optimal to use the lowest effective dose of a drug to achieve therapeutic effects because doing
so helps minimize the risk for toxicity.
A nurse is teaching a client about the adverse effects of digoxin. which of the following statements
should the nurse include in the teaching?
[] "adverse effects are the intended effects of the medication."
[] "adverse effects indicate a severe allergy to the medication."
[] "decrease your medication dose if adverse effects occur."
[] "contact your provider if adverse effects occur."
Answers: "contact your provider if adverse effects occur."
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of renal insufficiency and is taking lithium. The nurse
should monitor the client for which of the following?
[] tolerance to the drug
[] drug interaction
[] drug toxicity
[] dependence on the drug
Answers: Drug toxicity
Drug toxicity develops when the amount of a drug that is taken is greater than its rate of excretion,
and it results in the drug accumulating in the body. A client who has renal insufficiency might have
delayed or impaired excretion of the drug. The drug dosage should be reduced if toxicity occurs.
, A nurse is teaching a client about naproxen enteric-coated tablets. Which of the following statements
should the nurse include in the teaching?
[] "drug absorption occurs in the stomach."
[] "you should expect immediate absorption of the drug."
[] "you should allow the tablet to dissolve in your mouth."
[] "do not crush or chew the tablet."
Answers: "do not crush or chew the tablet."
Drugs that irritate the stomach are often covered with an enteric coating that does not dissolve until
the drug enters the alkaline environment of the small intestine. Clients should not crush or chew
enteric-coated drugs because this will damage the enteric coating.
A nurse is caring for a client who is newly admitted to the facility for chest pain. At which of the
following times should the nurse begin teaching about drugs and discharge planning?
[] after the client has a definitive diagnosis
[] on the day of discharge
[] when the client's family members are present
[] as soon as possible
Answers: As soon as possible
A nurse is caring for a client who was prescribed an antidepressant based on its ability to prevent the
reuptake of neurotransmitters. The nurse should identify that which of the following terms describes
why this drug was prescribed for the client?
[] pharmacologic action
[] chemical stability
[] route
[] adverse effects
Answers: Pharmacologic action is Correct
The nurse should identify that the mechanism of action of a drug on the body to achieve the desired
effect is referred to as pharmacologic action.
Chemical stability
The nurse should identify that knowledge of how a drug should be stored and handled to maintain
maximum effectiveness is referred to as chemical stability.
Route
The nurse should identify that route refers to the method of administering the drug, such as oral,
topical, or parenterally.
Adverse effects
The nurse should identify that adverse effects refer to the unintended and undesired effects that
drugs have on the body, which can range from annoying to life-threatening.
A nurse is reviewing a drug handbook prior to administering a drug to a client who has kidney
disease. The handbook states that the drug can be administered but identifies certain risks. Which of
the following terms describes these risks?