Pharmacology & Drug Administration Flashcards

Which IV fluid is isotonic and most commonly used for fluid resuscitation?

Answer: 0.9% Normal Saline (NS)

0.9% Normal Saline is isotonic (osmolality ~308 mOsm/L), making it the standard choice for extracellular fluid replacement and resuscitation.

A patient's urine turns orange-red after starting rifampicin. What should the nurse tell the patient?

Answer: This is a harmless expected side effect of rifampicin

Rifampicin causes harmless orange-red discolouration of urine, sweat, and tears; patients should be reassured this is expected and not a sign of harm.

Which parenteral route is used to administer the hepatitis B vaccine?

Answer: Intramuscular (IM) injection into the deltoid

The hepatitis B vaccine is administered intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle to ensure adequate immune response while avoiding subcutaneous fat, which impairs immunogenicity.

What is the correct needle angle for an intradermal (ID) injection?

Answer: 5–15 degrees

Intradermal injections are administered at a 5–15 degree angle with the bevel up, delivering small volumes just beneath the skin surface to form a wheal.

A nurse must administer potassium chloride (KCl) IV. Which statement is correct?

Answer: It must always be diluted and given slowly via infusion pump; never as an IV bolus

IV potassium chloride must be diluted and infused slowly via pump because a rapid bolus can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Which measurement guides dosing of aminoglycoside antibiotics to avoid nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity?

Answer: Peak and trough serum drug levels plus creatinine clearance

Peak and trough levels ensure aminoglycoside efficacy and prevent accumulation; creatinine clearance guides dose adjustment in renal impairment to avoid nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.