The nurse assumes care for an infant who is showing signs of drug toxicity to a drug given several hours prior. The nurse checks the dose and confirms that the dose is consistent with standard dosing guidelines
Which characteristic of the drug will likely explain this response in this patient?
a. It is acidic.
b. It is highly protein-bound.
c. It is not fat-soluble.
d. It is water-soluble.
ANS: B
With fewer protein-binding sites, there is more active drug available. This requires a reduction in the dose for infants. Drugs that are acidic are not as readily absorbed in infants, since their gastric pH tends to be more alkaline. Infants have a lower proportion of body fat; fat-soluble drugs would need to be decreased to prevent toxicity. Until about age 2 years of age, pediatric patients require larger than usual doses of water-soluble drugs to achieve therapeutic effects.
You might also like to view...
A client is in the family practice clinic reporting a severe "cold" that started 4 days ago. On examination, the nurse notes the client also has a severe headache and muscle aches. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Educate the client on oseltamivir (Tamiflu). b. Facilitate admission to the hospital. c. Instruct the client to have a flu vaccine. d. Teach the client to sneeze in the upper sleeve.
The new mother who had a vaginal delivery yesterday has a white blood cell count of 30,000 cells/dL. What action should the nurse implement?
a. Notify the charge nurse of a possible infection. b. Prepare to put the patient in isolation. c. Have the infant removed from the room and returned to the nursery. d. Assess the patient further.
A hospice patient tells the nurse, "Life has been good. I am proud of being self-educated. I overcame adversity and always gave my best. I intend to die as I lived: optimistic."
The nurse planning care for this patient would recognize the importance of: a. providing aggressive pain and symptom management. b. helping the patient reassess and explore existing conflicts. c. assisting the patient to focus on the meaning in life and death. d. supporting the patient's use of own resources to meet challenges.
Men who use transdermal testosterone gel (AndroGel) should be advised to avoid:
1. Washing their hands after applying the gel 2. Wearing occlusive clothing while using the gel 3. Exposure to estrogens while using the gel 4. Skin-to-skin contact with pregnant women while using the gel