💊 Pharmageddon
A medication that produces its effect by interacting with a specific receptor is demonstrating which pharmacologic concept?
Pharmacodynamics
You enter a room and find four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. Patient requesting pain medication
B. Patient with new-onset shortness of breath
C. Patient asking when discharge will occur
D. Patient requesting assistance to the bathroom
B. Patient with new-onset shortness of breath
On a multiple-choice question, two answers seem correct. What should the student look for?
The answer that is safest, most specific, and addresses the priority/problem in the question.
Which developmental period follows infancy?
Early childhood.
Convert 1 gram to milligrams.
1,000 mg
A patient receiving an opioid becomes difficult to arouse and has slow respirations. What is the priority concern?
Respiratory depression.
What does PRN mean?
As needed
Which medication class is commonly used to decrease blood pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion?
Diuretics
A patient taking an antihypertensive suddenly reports dizziness when standing. What should the nurse assess first?
Blood pressure, particularly for orthostatic hypotension.
A medication order appears incorrect. What should the nurse do?
Hold the medication and clarify the order before administration.
A question asks what the nurse should do FIRST. What word should immediately get your attention?
FIRST
What is an important nursing consideration when teaching a child?
Adapt teaching to the child's developmental level. (We must meet them where they are developmentally)
The order is 500 mg. The medication available is 250 mg/tablet. How many tablets?
2 tablets
A patient receiving an anticoagulant develops unexplained bleeding. What should the nurse recognize?
A possible adverse effect/complication requiring assessment.
What is the priority assessment for an opioid overdose?
Respirations
Which medication class is used to decrease blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes?
Antidiabetic medications
Which medication class commonly causes increased urination because it promotes sodium and water excretion?
Diuretics
A patient says, "I don't understand why I have to take this medication." What is the BEST nursing response?
Provide patient-centered education about the medication's purpose and encourage questions.
Which patient finding should make the nurse stop and reassess the situation rather than simply continue routine care?
Any unexpected or potentially unstable change in the patient's condition.
An adolescent is increasingly concerned with peer acceptance and identity. Is this generally expected developmental behavior?
Yes
The provider orders 750 mg. The medication is available as 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL will you administer?
15 mL
A patient taking a medication develops facial swelling and difficulty breathing. What is the priority concern?
A severe allergic reaction/anaphylaxis.
What does pharmacodynamics describe?
What the drug does to the body
Which medication class is commonly used to treat bacterial infections?
Antibacterials/antibiotics
A patient taking an anticoagulant reports black, tarry stools. What is the nurse's priority?
Assess for gastrointestinal bleeding and notify the provider.
The nurse discovers that the wrong dose of medication was administered. What should happen FIRST?
Assess the patient.
A question gives you four patients. Three are stable and one has an acute change. Who gets your attention?
The patient with the acute/unexpected change.
An older adult reports taking multiple medications from several providers. What should the nurse be particularly concerned about?
Medication interactions, adverse effects, and medication safety
The patient weighs 154 lb. Convert the weight to kilograms.
70 kg
A patient with asthma suddenly develops severe respiratory distress and difficulty speaking. What should the nurse do?
Treat this as an emergency and prioritize airway/breathing.
What does pharmacokinetics describe?
What the body does to the drug
Which medication class is used to treat fungal infections?
Antifungals
A patient receiving insulin becomes sweaty, shaky, confused, and tachycardic. What is the nurse's priority concern?
Hypoglycemia.
A patient has several medications scheduled at the same time. One medication is unfamiliar to the nurse. What is the safest action?
Verify the medication using an appropriate reliable drug reference before administration.
The question asks what is the BEST nursing action. One answer involves calling the provider immediately, while another involves assessing the patient first. Which generally comes first?
Assess the patient first, unless the situation clearly requires immediate intervention.
A nurse is caring for an older adult and notices a new cognitive change. Should the nurse automatically assume this is a normal part of aging?
No. A new or acute cognitive change requires assessment.
The provider orders 10 mg/kg/day divided into 2 equal doses for a child weighing 22 kg. How many mg should the child receive PER DOSE?
110 mg/dose
A patient develops a sudden change in mental status, difficulty speaking, and weakness on one side. What should the nurse recognize?
Possible acute neurologic emergency/stroke—immediate assessment and intervention are required.
What is one major concern with anticoagulants?
Bleeding
Which medication class is used to treat viral infections?
Antivirals