Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Which blood level is assessed to determine the amount of circulating medication in a patient?.
A. Trough.
Trough levels are the lowest concentration in the patient’s bloodstream, hence they are not the best indicator of the amount of circulating medication.
B. Drug.
The term ‘Drug’ is too general and does not specifically refer to the amount of medication in the patient’s bloodstream.
C. Peak.
Peak levels are the highest concentration of a drug in the patient’s bloodstream after administration. This is when the amount of the medication in the body is likely to be highest.
D. Therapeutic.
Therapeutic levels refer to the range in which a drug is expected to be effective without causing any serious problems to the patient. It does not directly indicate the amount of circulating medication.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI PN Custom Pharmacology Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Trough levels are the lowest concentration in the patient’s bloodstream, hence they are not the best indicator of the amount of circulating medication.
Choice B rationale:
The term ‘Drug’ is too general and does not specifically refer to the amount of medication in the patient’s bloodstream.
Choice C rationale:
Peak levels are the highest concentration of a drug in the patient’s bloodstream after administration. This is when the amount of the medication in the body is likely to be highest.
Choice D rationale:
Therapeutic levels refer to the range in which a drug is expected to be effective without causing any serious problems to the patient. It does not directly indicate the amount of circulating medication.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin 350 mg PO. Available is amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
(Round to the nearest whole number.)
Full Explanation
The correct answer is 7 mL. Step 1 is to calculate the concentration of amoxicillin in mg/mL: 250 mg ÷ 5 mL = 50 mg/mL.
Step 2 is to use the calculated concentration to find the volume: Volume (mL) = 350 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 7 mL.
Which statement indicates a correct understanding of topical drug absorption in a pediatric patient?.
A. Because the skin is not fully hydrated at this age, water-soluble drugs are not readily absorbed.
While it’s true that hydration affects skin absorption, it’s not accurate to say that water-soluble drugs are not readily absorbed because the skin is not fully hydrated.
B. Inflammation decreases the amount of drug absorbed.
Inflammation can actually increase the amount of drug absorbed due to increased blood flow and permeability.
C. Topical administration with percutaneous absorption is usually effective in infants.
Topical administration with percutaneous absorption can be effective in infants, but it’s not always the case.
D. Infants wearing plastic-coated diapers are more susceptible to skin absorption.
Infants wearing plastic-coated diapers are indeed more susceptible to skin absorption. This is because the occlusive nature of the diaper can enhance absorption by increasing the hydration of the skin.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
While it’s true that hydration affects skin absorption, it’s not accurate to say that water-soluble drugs are not readily absorbed because the skin is not fully hydrated.
Choice B rationale:
Inflammation can actually increase the amount of drug absorbed due to increased blood flow and permeability.
Choice C rationale:
Topical administration with percutaneous absorption can be effective in infants, but it’s not always the case.
Choice D rationale:
Infants wearing plastic-coated diapers are indeed more susceptible to skin absorption. This is because the occlusive nature of the diaper can enhance absorption by increasing the hydration of the skin.
A patient takes two medications.
Drug A is taken once per day; drug B is taken every 8 hours.
Which conclusion about drug A is correct?
A. Has a wider therapeutic range than drug B.
The frequency of drug administration doesn’t necessarily determine the therapeutic range.
B. Has a higher rate of protein binding than drug B.
Protein binding is not directly related to the frequency of drug administration.
C. Has a longer half-life than drug B.
Drug A has a longer half-life than drug B. This is because drugs with longer half-lives need to be administered less frequently.
D. Is less toxic than drug B.
The toxicity of a drug is not determined by the frequency of its administration.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The frequency of drug administration doesn’t necessarily determine the therapeutic range.
Choice B rationale:
Protein binding is not directly related to the frequency of drug administration.
Choice C rationale:
Drug A has a longer half-life than drug B. This is because drugs with longer half-lives need to be administered less frequently.
Choice D rationale:
The toxicity of a drug is not determined by the frequency of its administration.