A patient reports becoming "immune" to a medication because it no longer works to alleviate symptoms. The nurse recognizes that this decreased effectiveness is likely caused by:
a. antagonists produced by the body that compete with the drug for receptor sites.
b. decreased selectivity of receptor sites, resulting in a variety of effects.
c. desensitization of receptor sites by continual exposure to the drug.
d. synthesis of more receptor sites in response to the medication.
ANS: C
Continual exposure to an agonist would cause the cell to become less responsive or desensitized. The body does not produce antagonists as a response to a medication. Receptor site selectivity is determined by physiologic factors and not by the substances that bind to them. Medications do not cause more receptors to be produced.
You might also like to view...
List the tumors in order based on the following tissue of origin: 1, fat; 2, fibrous; 3, smooth muscle; 4, glands; 5, bone. (Separate letters by a comma and space as follows: A, B, C, D.)
A. Sarcoma B. Lipoma C. Leiomyoma D. Fibroma E. Carcinoma
Which of the following actions represent proper body mechanics for nurses providing care as well as teaching patients about safe body movements? Choose all that apply
1) Stand with the body in alignment and erect posture. 2) Bend at the waist to lift heavy objects from the floor. 3) Use a wide base of support with your feet at shoulder width. 4) Keep objects close to your body when carrying them.
In Kohlberg's theory of moral development, an individual who reaches level II, the conventional level, is expected to exhibit which one of the following?
a. Absolute obedience to authority b. Reasoning based on personal gain c. Personal internalization of others' expectations d. Self-chosen ethical principles, universality, and impartiality
Which statement by the patient is an indication to use the Z-track method?
a. "I'm really afraid that a big needle will hurt." b. "The last shot like that turned my skin colors." c. "I am allergic to many medications." d. "My legs are too obese for the needle to go through."