SHORT ANSWER
1.Drugs may be classified by:
a.body systems
b.the symptom relieved by the drug
c. the clinical indication for the drug- a.Drug–receptor interactions: The drug interacts
with one or more cellular structures to alter cell
function.
b.Drug–enzyme interactions: The drug combines
with enzymes to achieve the desired effect.
3.Sample answers:
a.Developmental stage of patient: A child’s dose
of medication is smaller than an adult’s dose.
b.Weight: Drug doses for children should be cal-
culated on weight or body surface area. Doses
for adults are based on a reference adult (i.e., a
healthy adult of 18 to 65 years weighing 150
lb).
c. Sex: Hormonal fluctuations can affect drug
action.
d.Genetic factors: Asian patients may require
smaller doses of a drug because they metabolize
it at a slower rate. Cultural: Herbal remedies
may interfere with or counteract the action of
the prescribed medication.
e.Psychological factors: Patients may attain the
same effect with a placebo as with an active
drug.
f. Pathology: Liver disease may affect drug action
by slowing the metabolism of drugs.
g.Environment: The lower oxygen concentration
of air at high altitudes may increase sensitivity
to some drugs.
h.Time of administration: The presence of food in
the stomach generally delays the absorption of
oral medications.
4.Sample answers:
a.The nurse knows that the patient is allergic to
the drug.
b.The nurse has difficulty reading the order.
c. The nurse knows the drug will be harmful to
the patient. - a.Stock supply system: Large quantities of
medications are kept on the nursing unit.
b.Individual supply system: Each patient is
supplied with the medication needed for a
period of time.
c. Unit-dose system: The pharmacist simplifies
medication preparation by packaging and label-
ing each dosage for a 24-hour period. - a.Three checks: The medication label should be
checked (1) when the nurse reaches for the con-
tainer; (2) after retrieval from the drawer and
compared with the CMAR, or compared with
the CMAR immediately before pouring from a
multidose container; and (3) when replacing
the container to the drawer or shelf or before
giving the unit dose medication to the patient.
b.Five rights: (1) Give the right medication (2) to
the right patient (3) in the right dosage (4)
through the right route (5) at the right time.
7.Sample answers:
a.Crush the medication or add it to food.
b.Allow the patient to suck on a piece of ice to
numb the taste buds.
c. Give the medication with generous amounts of
water.
8.Sample answers:
a.Route of administration: A longer needle is
needed for an intramuscular injection than for
an intradermal or subcutaneous injection.
b.Viscosity of the solution: Some medications are
more viscous than others and require a large-
lumen needle to be injected.
c. Quantity to be administered: The larger the
amount of medication to be injected, the
greater the capacity of the syringe.
d.Body size: An obese person requires a longer
needle to reach muscle tissue than a thin
person.
e.Type of medication: There are special syringes
for certain uses.- a.Check the patient’s condition immediately
when the error is noted. Observe for adverse
effects.
b.Notify the nurse manager and the physician to
discuss possible courses of action based on the
patient’s condition.
c. Write a description of the error on the patient’s
medical record, including remedial steps that
were taken.
d.Complete a special form for reporting errors, as
dictated by agency policy. - a.Ampules: An ampule is a glass flask that
contains a single dose of medication for
parenteral administration. Medication is
removed from an ampule after its thin neck is
broken.
b.Vials: A vial is a glass bottle with a self-sealing
stopper through which medication is removed.
The nurse can remove several doses from the
same container.
c. Prefilled cartridges: These provide a single dose
of medication. The nurse inserts the cartridge
into a reusable holder and clears the cartridge
of excess air.
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