NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

A client prescribed a loading dose followed by a lower maintenance dose asks why the maintenance dose is lower. How should the nurse respond?

1. The initial dose shortens the half-life, so the medication would work more quickly

2. We always give medications this way; the healthcare provider did not make a mistake

3. Giving a larger dose initially will reduce the chance of side effects

4. You had a larger dose initially so that the medication would work more quickly

The correct answer is: The initial dose shortens the half-life, so the medication would work more quickly

The nurse should explain that the initial loading dose helps to quickly establish a therapeutic level of the medication in the body, while the lower maintenance dose helps to maintain that level. This is important because certain medications may have harmful side effects if the levels in the body are too high for a prolonged period of time. Option B is incorrect because not all medications are given with a loading dose, and it is important to provide a rationale for the prescribed regimen. Option C suggests using a larger dose as a preventative measure, which is not necessarily the case with a loading dose. Option D is also incorrect, as the initial larger dose is not given for the purpose of being more effective overall, but rather to quickly establish the therapeutic level.