The patient receives antibiotics for a serious infection. The patient asks the nurse, 'Why don't you just give me more of that drug to cure this infection faster?' What is the best response by the nurse?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Antibiotics have a maximum dose beyond which efficacy plateaus-more risks toxicity (e.g., ototoxicity), not faster cure, a pharmacodynamic limit. Checking with the doctor delays a clear answer. Interactions aren't the sole issue-toxicity is. Time-based increase lacks basis. Maximum dose explains efficacy ceiling, educating safely.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cefotaxime, a third-generation cephalosporin, treats postoperative infections but disrupts gut flora, commonly causing diarrhea due to overgrowth of pathogens like Clostridioides difficile. This adverse effect can range from mild to life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis, making it a priority observation. Headache might occur but is less frequent and specific to cefotaxime. Constipation contrasts with its GI effects, as diarrhea is more typical, while tachycardia could signal anaphylaxis or secondary infection but isn't a primary concern. Monitoring for diarrhea allows early detection of complications, enabling prompt intervention like discontinuing the drug or starting probiotics. This focus aligns with cephalosporins' pharmacological profile, where GI disturbance is a well-documented risk, especially post-surgery when patients are vulnerable. Thus, observing for diarrhea is the nurse's key assessment, ensuring patient safety and effective management of adverse effects, making A the correct choice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Phenytoin is an anti-seizure medication commonly used to treat and prevent seizures in individuals with epilepsy. The desired outcome of taking Phenytoin is to decrease or completely stop seizures without causing excessive sedation. It works by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain to prevent abnormal firing of neurons that can lead to seizures. Therefore, the main goal of using Phenytoin is to control seizure activity and improve the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Before administering Digoxin, the nurse should count the apical pulse for 1 minute. Digoxin is a cardiac medication that primarily works by increasing the force of contractions of the heart muscle. It is important to assess the patient's heart rate to ensure it is within the recommended range before administering Digoxin. This is because Digoxin can cause serious complications such as heart arrhythmias if given when the heart rate is too low. Counting the apical pulse for a full minute provides a more accurate assessment of the heart rate compared to shorter durations.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Metoprolol is metabolized primarily by hepatic enzymes in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum via CYP450 pathways.