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 D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hypothermia is not commonly associated with diarrhea. Diarrhea typically leads to fluid loss and dehydration rather than changes in body temperature.
Choice B rationale
A rigid abdomen is not a typical finding for diarrhea. It may indicate other gastrointestinal issues, such as peritonitis, rather than dehydration caused by diarrhea.
Choice C rationale
Decreased bowel sounds are not typically expected with diarrhea, which often presents with increased bowel sounds due to increased motility.
Choice D rationale
Dehydration is a common finding in clients with diarrhea due to the excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes from frequent, loose stools. It can lead to symptoms such as dry mouth, reduced urine output, and dizziness.
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.