The physician has ordered for the client to receive a trough blood level to evaluate the therapeutic effect of an antibiotic. The nurse plans to schedule the blood to be drawn at which of the following times?

1. A few minutes before the next scheduled dose of medication
2. 1–2 hours after the oral administration of the medication
3. 30 minutes after the IV administration
4. During the infusion of the antibiotic


1. A few minutes before the next scheduled dose of medication

Rationale:
Antibiotic peak and trough levels monitor therapeutic blood levels of the prescribed medication. The therapeutic range—that is, the minimum and maximum blood levels at which the drug is effective—is known for a given drug. By measuring blood levels at the predicted peak (1–2 hours after oral administration, 1 hour after intramuscular administration, and 30 minutes after IV administration) and trough, usually a few minutes before the next scheduled dose, it is also possible to determine whether the drug is reaching a toxic or harmful level during therapy, increasing the likelihood of adverse effects.

Nursing

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