Routes, Doses, Onset, Duration, Peak, and Half-life of Various Analgesics
Routes, Doses, Onset, Duration, Peak, and Half-life of Various Analgesics ( 5 Questions)
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?
It will not take that long for intravenous analgesics to work.
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.
It will take much longer than the actual onset of action.
It will take much longer than the peak effect and the duration of action.
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.