Nursing Pharmacology Drug Classification Related

Review Nursing Pharmacology Drug Classification related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a patient taking multiple drugs and is concerned about a possible drug-drug interaction. What is the nurse's first and best means of avoiding this problem?

  • A. Consult a drug guide.
  • B. Call the pharmacist.
  • C. Contact the provider.
  • D. Ask another nurse.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Whenever two or more drugs are being given together, first consult a drug guide for a listing of clinically significant drug-drug interactions. Sometimes problems can be avoided by staggering the administration of the drugs or adjusting their dosages. Consulting the pharmacist is not wrong, but it would not be the first action to take. The nurse holds responsibility for his or her own practice so asking a health care provider or another nurse is based on the assumption that that professional is knowledgeable about all drug-drug interactions, which is likely not the case.