A pregnant woman who is having labor pains is receiving an opioid analgesic. Which of the following medications should be ready in case a respiratory depression occurs?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote for opioid-induced respiratory depression and should be readily available when administering opioid analgesics during labor. It works by reversing the effects of opioids on the respiratory system, restoring normal breathing. Oxycodone, meperidine, and morphine are opioids and would exacerbate respiratory depression. Therefore, naloxone is the correct medication to have on hand.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Higher potency (lower dose for effect) can coexist with lower efficacy (max effect), true, as potency reflects affinity, not ceiling effect. Higher receptor affinity increases potency, true, per receptor theory. Lower potency doesn't mandate lower efficacy; a less potent drug can achieve the same max effect with more dose, making this false. Higher potency with equal efficacy is true (e.g., partial agonists). This pharmacodynamic distinction is vital for drug selection, where efficacy often trumps potency.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology underpin pharmacology, enabling nurses to grasp drug actions and patient responses, enhancing care through informed medication use. As an outgrowth oversimplifies their integration. Curriculum mandates explain requirements, not value. Understanding is key, but applying it to care-like knowing antibiotic targets or drug effects on organs-grounds pharmacology in practice, making it the best rationale.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Doubling a therapeutic dose exceeds the plateau-efficacy maxes out, but side effects (e.g., sedation) rise with excess, especially in the elderly with slower clearance. Tolerance needs chronic use, not one event. More relief assumes linear gain, not true. Tolerance requiring more is future, not immediate. Side effects reflect pharmacodynamics, a key risk.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) MAOIs. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) interact with tyramine, a substance found in certain foods. When a person taking MAOIs consumes foods high in tyramine, it can lead to a dangerous spike in blood pressure known as a hypertensive crisis. This is due to the inhibition of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which usually breaks down tyramine in the body. Therefore, patients on MAOIs must avoid foods rich in tyramine to prevent this adverse reaction. Option B) SSRIs, Option C) Beta blockers, and Option D) Benzodiazepines are incorrect because they do not interact with tyramine in the same way MAOIs do. SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to treat depression and anxiety, while beta blockers are commonly used for hypertension and heart conditions, and benzodiazepines are used for anxiety disorders. None of these medications require patients to avoid tyramine-rich foods. Educationally, understanding drug-food interactions is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure patient safety and prevent adverse events. By knowing which medications interact with specific foods or substances, healthcare professionals can provide appropriate counseling to patients to avoid potentially harmful interactions. This knowledge also highlights the importance of medication adherence and dietary considerations in pharmacological management.