An agonist activates a receptor and stimulates a response. When given frequently over time the body may:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Down-regulate the numbers of that specific receptor. Step 1: When an agonist continuously activates a receptor, the body may reduce the number of receptors to maintain homeostasis. Step 2: Down-regulation is a feedback mechanism to decrease receptor sensitivity due to excessive stimulation. Step 3: This helps prevent overstimulation and desensitization of the receptor. Summary: A: Up-regulating the total number of receptors is unlikely as the body typically down-regulates in response to prolonged agonist exposure. B: Blocking the receptor with a partial agonist is not a typical response to repeated agonist exposure. C: Altering the drug's metabolism is not directly related to receptor down-regulation in response to agonist stimulation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Absorbed rapidly. Sublingual medication is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes under the tongue, bypassing the digestive system and liver first-pass metabolism. This route allows for faster onset of action and higher bioavailability compared to oral ingestion. Excretion rate (option B) and distribution pattern (option D) are not specific advantages of sublingual administration. While metabolism may be reduced (option C), the primary advantage is the rapid absorption.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: An exaggerated response if the drug is withdrawn. Up-regulation or hypersensitization involves an increase in the number or sensitivity of receptors, leading to an intensified response when the drug is suddenly stopped. This occurs due to the heightened receptor activity and can result in withdrawal symptoms or rebound effects. Choices A and B are incorrect because up-regulation typically results in increased, not decreased, response to the drug. Choice D is incorrect as refractoriness or complete lack of response is more indicative of down-regulation or desensitization.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The patient’s readiness to learn. This is the most essential component because it determines the patient’s receptiveness and ability to understand and apply the medication teaching plan. Assessing the patient’s readiness ensures that the teaching is tailored to their individual needs and learning style, increasing the likelihood of successful medication management. A: Written instructions may be helpful but are not as effective if the patient is not ready to learn. C: Use of colorful charts can enhance understanding, but without considering the patient’s readiness, it may not be as impactful. D: Review of community resources is important but not as crucial as assessing the patient’s readiness to learn for effective medication teaching.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respect for persons. This principle is demonstrated by ensuring the patient's right to self-determination, which means respecting their autonomy and right to make decisions about their own healthcare. This principle is a fundamental aspect of research ethics, emphasizing the importance of treating individuals as autonomous agents. A: Beneficence focuses on doing good for the research subjects and maximizing benefits while minimizing harms, but it does not directly relate to self-determination. C: Justice involves fairness in the selection of research participants and distribution of benefits and burdens, but it is not directly related to self-determination. D: Informed consent is a process that includes providing information to participants to ensure they can make an informed decision about participating in research, which is related to but not the same as respecting self-determination.