A nurse is teaching a class about pharmacodynamics.
The nurse should include that which of the following medication levels occurs when a medication is at the lowest serum concentration?
Toxic.
Peak.
Trough.
Half-life.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Toxic levels refer to concentrations of a medication that are high enough to cause harmful effects or poisoning. This is not related to the lowest serum concentration.
Choice B rationale
Peak levels are the highest concentration of a medication in the bloodstream after administration. This occurs after the drug is absorbed and distributed.
Choice C rationale
Trough levels occur when the medication is at its lowest concentration in the bloodstream, typically just before the next dose is due. Monitoring trough levels helps ensure therapeutic effectiveness while avoiding toxicity.
Choice D rationale
Half-life refers to the time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to decrease by half. It is not directly related to the lowest serum concentration at a specific point in time.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Returning the opened medication to the medication cart is inappropriate because once a medication is opened and refused by a client, it must be disposed of properly. This action helps maintain safety and prevents contamination.
Choice B rationale
Reporting the incident to the provider is not necessary in this context as the refusal to take medication can be managed by the nurse by following the facility's protocol.
Choice C rationale
Filling out an incident report is required because the client's refusal to take the medication is considered a significant event. Incident reports are used to document and analyze such events to improve patient care and safety.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the facility's ethics committee is unnecessary for a medication refusal incident, as it does not involve an ethical dilemma requiring their intervention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Aging usually leads to a decrease in muscle tone of the bowel rather than an increase, which can result in slower bowel movements and constipation.
Choice B rationale
Gastric acid production tends to decrease with age, not increase. This can affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and also increase the risk of stomach infections.
Choice C rationale
The pH of the stomach tends to become less acidic (increase) as one ages, not decrease. This is often due to the reduced production of gastric acid.
Choice D rationale
Decreased intestinal peristalsis is a common physiological change in older adults. This slowing down of the intestinal movements can lead to constipation and other digestive issues.