The nurse is preparing to medicate a client for a migraine headache. The nurse should choose the drug with which half-life?
1. 10 to 20 hours
2. 5 to 10 days
3. 2 to 3 hours
4. 1 to 3 minutes
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: A half-life of 10 to 20 hours is longer than would be needed to provide migraine pain relief.
Rationale 2: A half-life of 5 to 10 days is longer than would be needed to provide migraine pain relief.
Rationale 3: A drug with a half-life of 2 to 3 hours will be reduced by 50% in 2 to 3 hours, providing adequate time for the client to obtain pain relief.
Rationale 4: A drug with a half-life of 1 to 3 minutes would be eliminated in a very short time period and would not provide adequate pain relief.
Global Rationale: A drug with a half-life of 2 to 3 hours will be reduced by 50% in 2 to 3 hours, providing adequate time for the client to obtain pain relief. A half-life of 10 to 20 hours is longer than would be needed to provide migraine pain relief. A half-life of 5 to 10 days is longer than would be needed to provide migraine pain relief. A drug with a half-life of 1 to 3 minutes would be eliminated in a very short time period and would not provide adequate pain relief.
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