NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

Why do drug plateaus occur with medications, according to nursing instructors? (Select all that apply)

1. All the receptors for the drug are occupied

2. The drug has brought 100% relief to the patient

3. The patient has developed resistance and needs another drug

4. The drug is losing efficacy

The correct answer is: All the receptors for the drug are occupied

Drug plateaus occur when all the receptors for the drug are occupied, meaning that the maximum effect of the drug has been reached and increasing the dosage will not produce any further benefit. This phenomenon is a result of receptor saturation and explains why increasing the dose of the medication beyond a certain point does not necessarily lead to increased therapeutic effects. In the context of nursing instruction, it is crucial to understand the concept of drug plateaus to ensure appropriate medication management for patients.