A patient has been using sleeping pills every night for the past several months. Now admitted to the hospital, he is prescribed his usual dose of sleeping pill. After administration, the patient continues to be restless and is wide awake. The nurse
notifies the health care provider, who prescribes an increased dose. After receiving the new dose, the patient falls asleep. The nurse interprets this as which of the following?
A) Drug idiosyncrasy
B) Cumulative drug effect
C) Drug tolerance
D) Toxic reactions
Ans: C
Feedback:
The patient has developed drug tolerance and has to be administered an increased dosage of the drug to achieve the desired effect. Cumulative drug effect occurs when the body is unable to metabolize and excrete one (normal) dose of a drug before the next dose is given. Drug idiosyncrasy is a term used to describe any unusual or abnormal reaction to a drug. Toxic reactions are caused when blood concentration levels exceed the therapeutic levels of a drug.
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