be both unprofessional and inaccurate to imply that pharmaceutical companies put profit ahead of patient concern because lawsuits would remove any
... [Show More] potential profit if a drug proves harmful. The FDA is responsible for weighing risk versus benefit in deciding whether to allow the drug to move to the next phase of testing. Drugs found to have serious adverse effects can be removed from the market at any time.
The telephone triage nurse receives a call from a patient asking for a prescription for a narcotic to manage his surgical pain. The nurse explains that narcotic prescriptions must be written and cannot be called in to the pharmacy. The patient says, Why are narcotics so difficult to get a prescription for? What is the nurse’s best response?
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) determines the risk for addiction and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces their control.
The increase in the number of drug addicts has made the rules stronger.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulates use of controlled substances to reduce the risk of injury.
Controlled substances like narcotics are controlled by the FDA and the DEA. Ans: D
Feedback:
Controlled substances are controlled by the FDA and the DEA: the DEA enforces control while the FDA determines abuse potential. Regulations related to controlled substances have remained strict and specific and have not been significantly impacted by substance abusers. The CDC is not involved in control of narcotics and other controlled substances.
The nurse explains the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA’s) schedule of controlled substances to the nursing assistant who asks, Do you ever get a prescription for Schedule I medications? What is the nurse’s best response?
Schedule I medications have no medical use so they are not prescribed.
Test Bank - Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (8th Edition by Karch)
13
Schedule I medications have the lowest risk for abuse and do not require a prescription.
Schedule I medications are only prescribed in monitored units for patient safety.
Schedule I medications are found in antitussives and antidiarrheals sold over the counter.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Schedule I medications have no medical use and are never prescribed. Schedule V medications have the lowest risk for abuse and are found mostly in antitussives and antidiarrheals but they are not sold over the counter.
The nurse, working on the maternity unit, receives a call from a pregnant woman asking how she can know whether a medication is safe to take while pregnant. What is the nurse’s best response?
You can take any drug indicated as a Category A.
No medications should be taken during pregnancy.
Never take medication until you receive approval from your health care provider.
Most medications are safe but you need to weigh benefit against risk.
Ans: C
Feedback:
The best response to a pregnant woman asking about medication usage is to talk with her obstetric practitioner because the best advice will come from someone who knows their health and pregnancy history. While Category A drugs have no known risk, they may be contraindicated by the woman’s health condition or pregnancy issues and many pregnant women would not know what it means to be a Category A drug. Medications can be helpful during pregnancy if taken safely and appropriately.
Although risk benefit needs to be weighed, it should occur with advice from the obstetric practitioner.
A patient asks the nurse, What is a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number? What is the nurse’s best response?
DEA Numbers are given to physicians and pharmacists when they register with the DEA to prescribe and dispense controlled substances.
Physicians must have a DEA number in order to prescribe any type of medication for patients.
DEA numbers are case numbers given when someone breaks the law involving a controlled substance.
Test Bank - Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (8th Edition by Karch)
14
DEA numbers are contact numbers to talk with someone at the DEA when q [Show Less]