A patient has been on antibiotic therapy every 4 hours for 4 days because of a respiratory infection. The patient feels better and has been increasingly missing regular doses of the medication. What should the nurse advise the patient to do?
a. Take the regular doses to keep the correct level of medication in the blood.
b. Stop taking the medication.
c. Take the medication at the same level despite the missed doses.
d. Start taking the medication once a day.
ANS: A
If the half-life of a drug is short, as is true for many antibiotics, the person must take frequent doses to keep the correct level in the blood.
You might also like to view...
A nurse needs to administer a cephalosporin to a patient. The patient informs the nurse that he is allergic to penicillin. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A) Inform the primary health care provider. B) Obtain the patient's occupational history. C) Administer an antipyretic drug. D) Obtain specimens for kidney function tests.
The nurse who works on a cardiac unit is teaching the student nurse about heart sounds. The student nurse asks how the S1 heart sound is produced. Which of the following is the nurse's best response?
1. "It results from the closure of the semilunar valves.". 2. "It is heard when the aortic valve closes just slightly faster than the pulmonic valve.". 3. "It results from the closure of the atrioventricular valves.". 4. "It is caused by atrial contraction and ejection of blood into the ventricles in late diastole.".
The nurse understands that a client's pregnancy is progressing normally when which of the following physiologic changes are documented on the prenatal record of a woman at 36 weeks' gestation? Select all that apply
1. The joints of the pelvis have relaxed, causing a waddling gait. 2. The cervix is firm and purplish–blue in color. 3. The uterus vasculature contains one-sixth of the total maternal blood volume. 4. Gastric emptying time is prolonged, and the client complains of constipation and bloating. 5. Supine hypotension, creating dizziness, occurs when the client lies on her back.
A nurse provides conscientious care to an obese patient who is at risk for development of pressure ulcers. This care should include which of the following? Select all that apply
1. Turning the patient from side position to prone position every 2 hours 2. Keeping linens free of wrinkles 3. Offering the patient liquids and a nutritious diet 4. Keeping the patient's skin clean and moist 5. Assessing the patient's skin every 2 hours for indications of breakdown