Chapter 2

Question 1

What are the eight aspects of drug therapy?

Answer 1

1. preadministration assessment,
2. dosage and administration,
3. promoting therapeutic effects,
4. minimizing adverse effects,
5. minimizing adverse interactions,
6. making “as needed” (PRN) decisions,
7. evaluating responses to medication, and
8. managing toxicity.

Question 2

When does drug therapy begin?

Answer 2

Drug therapy begins with assessment of the patient.

Question 3

Assessment of pt has three goals:

Answer 3

1. to collect baseline data needed to evaluate therapeutic and adverse (i.e., undesired) responses,
2. to identify high-risk patients, and
3. to assess the patient’s capacity for self-care.

Question 4

Dosage and Administration: Dosage

Answer 4

Certain drugs have more than one indication, and dosage may differ depending on which indication the drug is used for.

Question 5

Example of Dosage differences

Answer 5

Ex; Aspirin is given in low doses to relieve pain and in high does to suppress inflammation

Question 6

Dosage and Administration: Administration

Answer 6

Many drugs can be administered by more than one route, and dosage may differ depending on the route selected

Question 7

Example of Administration of Drug

Answer 7

Ex; oral doses of morphine are generally much larger than injected doses. It can be fatal if large dose intended for oral use were to be mistakenly administered by injection

Question 8

To ensure correct administration: 6 things

Answer 8

1. Read medication order carefully
2. Verify the identity of the pt by comparing the name on the wristband with the name on the drug order or medication administration record
3. Read med label carefully
4. Verify dosage calculations
5. Implement any special handling the drug may require
6. Do not administer any drug if you do not understand the reason for its use

Question 9

Promoting/Evaluating Therapeutic Effects:

Answer 9

Drug therapy can often be enhanced by nonpharmacologic measures.

Question 10

Adverse Interactions that can occur when taking two or more drugs

Answer 10

When a patient is taking two or more drugs, those drugs may interact with one another to diminish therapeutic effects or intensify adverse effects.

Question 11

Minimizing Adverse Interactions

Answer 11

Nurses help reduce the incidence and intensity of adverse interactions by:
1. These include taking a thorough drug history,

2. advising the patient to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can interact with the prescribed medication,
3. monitoring for adverse interactions known to occur between the drugs the patient is taking, and
4. being alert to the possibility of as-yet-unknown interactions.

Question 12

Making PRN Decisions:

Answer 12

A PRN medication order is one in which the nurse has discretion regarding when to give a drug and, in some situations, how much of the drug to give.

Question 13

When are PRN orders common?

Answer 13

PRN orders are common for drugs that promote sleep, relieve pain, and reduce anxiety.

Question 14

What is one of the most important aspects of drug therapy?

Answer 14

Evaluation is one of the most important aspects of drug therapy.