Half-Life of a medication Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the definition of half-life in pharmacology?
Half-life is the time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to reduce to half its initial value.
True or False: The half-life of a medication can vary between individuals.
True
What factors can influence the half-life of a medication?
Factors include age, weight, metabolism, organ function, and interactions with other drugs.
Fill in the blank: The half-life is important for determining ______ of a medication.
dosing intervals
How is the half-life of a medication typically calculated?
Half-life is calculated using the formula: t1/2 = 0.693 / elimination rate constant (k).
What does the elimination rate constant (k) represent?
The elimination rate constant (k) represents the rate at which a drug is removed from the body.
True or False: A drug with a long half-life requires more frequent dosing.
False
What is the significance of knowing a medication’s half-life for nurses?
It helps nurses determine the appropriate timing for administering doses and monitoring patient responses.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following medications is likely to have a short half-life? A) Aspirin B) Warfarin C) Nitroglycerin D) Digoxin
C) Nitroglycerin
What is meant by ‘steady state’ in pharmacology?
Steady state is the point at which the drug intake equals the drug elimination, resulting in a stable concentration.
Fill in the blank: Generally, it takes ______ half-lives for a drug to reach steady state.
4 to 5
What nursing responsibilities are related to medication half-life?
Nursing responsibilities include calculating dosing schedules, monitoring for side effects, and adjusting doses as necessary.
True or False: Drugs with a short half-life can lead to fluctuations in drug levels in the body.
True
What is the importance of half-life in drug clearance?
Half-life helps determine how long a drug stays effective and how quickly it is cleared from the body.
Multiple Choice: If a medication has a half-life of 2 hours, how long will it take to be mostly eliminated? A) 4 hours B) 6 hours C) 8 hours D) 10 hours
C) 8 hours
What role does liver function play in drug half-life?
Liver function can affect the metabolism of drugs, potentially prolonging or shortening their half-life.
Fill in the blank: ______ is a common method used to assess a drug’s half-life.
Pharmacokinetic studies
True or False: The half-life of a drug is the same for all patients.
False
What is a loading dose?
A loading dose is an initial higher dose of a medication given to quickly achieve therapeutic levels.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following would likely have the longest half-life? A) Caffeine B) Alcohol C) Lithium D) Acetaminophen
C) Lithium
What is the relationship between half-life and drug accumulation?
A drug can accumulate in the body if doses are administered before the previous dose has been eliminated, influenced by its half-life.
Fill in the blank: The half-life of a medication can be affected by ______ interactions.
drug
What is the clinical significance of a drug’s half-life for patient education?
Understanding half-life helps patients know when to take their medication and the importance of adherence to dosing schedules.
True or False: Drugs with long half-lives can be taken less frequently than those with short half-lives.
True
