Analgesics and Pain Management Medications > Pharmacology
Exam Review
Routes, Doses, Onset, Duration, Peak, and Half-life of Various Analgesics
Total Questions : 5
Showing 5 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is teaching a client about the advantages and disadvantages of different routes of administration for analgesics.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
Explanation
Rectal analgesics arenotfaster than oral ones but they may be uncomfortable.Rectal analgesics have a slower onset of action and lower bioavailability than oral analgesics.They may be useful when the oral route is contraindicated or unavailable, but they are not preferred by most patients.
Choice A is correct because oral analgesics are convenient and widely available, but they may irritate the stomach or cause gastrointestinal bleeding, especially NSAIDs.
Choice C is correct because intravenous analgesics are the most reliable and fast-acting route of administration, but they may cause infection or thrombophlebitis at the injection site.
Choice D is correct because intramuscular analgesics are the most precise route of administration in terms of dosage, but they may cause pain, hematoma, or nerve damage at the injection site.
A nurse is caring for a client who has severe pain and is receiving intravenous analgesics.
The client asks the nurse, “How long will it take for this medication to work?” What is the best response by the nurse?
Explanation
This is because intravenous analgesics have a rapid onset of action, usually within 1 to 2 minutes, and a peak effect at 2 to 6 minutes.The duration of action depends on the type and dose of the analgesic, but it is typically 30 to 60 minutes.
Choice A is wrong because it will not take that long for intravenous analgesics to work.
Choice C is wrong because it will take much longer than the actual onset of action.
Choice D is wrong because it will take much longer than the peak effect and the duration of action.
A nurse is administering a rectal analgesic to a client who cannot swallow or has nausea or vomiting.
The client says, “I don’t like this way of taking medication. Is there another option?” What is the best response by the nurse?
Explanation
This is because a transdermal patch can deliver a steady dose of analgesic through the skin without the need for swallowing or rectal administration.A transdermal patch may also have fewer side-effects than other routes of administration.
Choice A is wrong because an oral analgesic may not be suitable for a client who cannot swallow or has nausea or vomiting.An oral analgesic may also interact with other medications or food.
Choice C is wrong because an intramuscular injection may be painful, invasive, and cause bleeding or infection.An intramuscular injection may also require frequent administration and monitoring.
Choice D is wrong because a nasal spray may not be effective for severe pain or chronic conditions.A nasal spray may also cause irritation, congestion, or bleeding in the nasal passages.
A nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of different routes of administration for analgesics with a nursing student.
The nurse asks the student, “Which route has the fastest onset and peak of action?” What is the correct answer by the student?
Explanation
This is because the intravenous route delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the first-pass metabolism in the liver and the absorption barriers in the gastrointestinal tract.This results in a faster onset and peak of action compared to other routes.
Choice A. Oral route is wrong because the oral route involves swallowing the drug, which then passes through the stomach and intestines before reaching the bloodstream.This route has a slower onset and peak of action due to factors such as gastric emptying time, food intake, and first-pass metabolism.
Choice B. Rectal route is wrong because the rectal route involves inserting the drug into the rectum, where it is absorbed by the rectal mucosa and enters the systemic circulation.This route has a similar onset and peak of action to the oral route but may have better absorption and less first-pass metabolism.
Choice D. Intramuscular route is wrong because the intramuscular route involves injecting the drug into a muscle, where it is absorbed by the capillaries and enters the bloodstream. This route has a slower onset and peak of action than the intravenous route, but faster than the oral and rectal routes.The rate of absorption depends on factors such as blood flow, muscle mass, and injection site.
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral analgesic to a client with moderate pain.
Which of the following factors should the nurse consider when choosing the appropriate dose and formulation? (Select all that apply)
Explanation
The onset, peak, duration and first-pass metabolism of the analgesic are important factors to consider when choosing the appropriate dose and formulation for a client with moderate pain.The onset determines how quickly the analgesic will start to relieve pain, the peak determines when the analgesic will have its maximum effect, the duration determines how long the analgesic will last, and the first-pass metabolism determines how much of the analgesic will be available in the systemic circulation after passing through the liver.
These factors affect the efficacy and safety of the analgesic.
Choice E is wrong because the gastrointestinal tolerance of the analgesic is not a factor that affects the dose and formulation of the oral analgesic.The gastrointestinal tolerance refers to how well the client can tolerate the side effects of the analgesic, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation or ulceration.
This factor may influence the choice of the analgesic, but not its dose and formulation.
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