Nokea
The nursing students are learning about the half-life of drugs. A student asks the instructor to explain half-life. What is the instructor's best response?
- A. Half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of drug in the body to decrease to half of the peak level it previously achieved.
- B. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for the drug to be metabolized by the body.
- C. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug to reach peak level in the body.
- D. Half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the drug to reach half its potential peak level in the body.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of drug in the body to decrease to half the peak level it previously achieved. Therefore Options B, C, and D are not correct.
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Monitoring for a patient being prescribed iron for iron deficiency anemia includes:
- A. Reticulocyte count 1 week after therapy is started
- B. Complete blood count every 2 weeks throughout therapy
- C. Hemoglobin level at 1 week of therapy
- D. INR weekly throughout therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reticulocyte count at 1 week assesses iron therapy response; CBC or hemoglobin checks are later, and INR is irrelevant.
Which of the following drugs is CORRECTLY paired with its ECG effects?
- A. Lidocaine; decreased QRS and PR intervals
- B. Metoprolol: increased QRS duration
- C. Flecainide: increased PR, QRS, and QT intervals
- D. Verapamil: increased PR interval
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Verapamil slows AV conduction, increasing PR interval.
Hannah will be traveling to Mexico with her church group over spring break to build houses. She is concerned she may develop traveler's diarrhea. Advice includes following normal food and water precautions as well as taking:
- A. Loperamide four times a day throughout the trip
- B. Bismuth subsalicylate with each meal and at bedtime
- C. A prescription for diphenoxylate with atropine to use if she gets diarrhea
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bismuth subsalicylate prevents traveler's diarrhea when taken prophylactically; loperamide or diphenoxylate are for treatment, not prevention.
Zainab is taking lamotrigine (Lamictal) and presents to the clinic with fever and lymphadenopathy. Initial evaluation and treatment includes:
- A. Reassuring her she has a viral infection and to call if she isn't better in 4 or 5 days
- B. Ruling out a hypersensitivity reaction that may lead to multi-organ failure
- C. Rapid strep test and symptomatic care if strep test is negative
- D. Observation only, with further assessment if she worsens
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fever and lymphadenopathy suggest a serious lamotrigine hypersensitivity reaction.
A patient asks the nurse, What is a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number? What is the nurse's best response?
- A. DEA Numbers are given to physicians and pharmacists when they register with the DEA to prescribe and dispense controlled substances.
- B. Physicians must have a DEA number in order to prescribe any type of medication for patients.
- C. DEA numbers are case numbers given when someone breaks the law involving a controlled substance.
- D. DEA numbers are contact numbers to talk with someone at the DEA when questions arise about controlled substances.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: All pharmacists and physicians must register with the DEA. They are given numbers that are required before they can dispense or prescribe controlled substances. DEA numbers are only needed when prescribing controlled substances. A DEA number is neither a case number nor a phone number.