Question

The medical order for a client indicates that the medication is to be administered with the abbreviation "q4h". How often should the medication be given?

a) Every 4 hours
b) Every 2 hours
c) Every 6 hours
d) Every hour

Answer 1

The abbreviation 'q4h' on a medical order indicates that the medication should be given every 4 hours, which is option a) Every 4 hours. Drug administration must be timed appropriately according to the drug's half-life and whether its effectiveness is dose-dependent or time-dependent.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the medical order has the abbreviation "q4h", it means that the medication should be administered every 4 hours. The correct answer to the question is option a) Every 4 hours. Understanding medication schedules is crucial for ensuring effective and safe drug administration. For instance, some drugs have specific pharmacokinetics, such as a half-life that determines how often they should be given. A short half-life may require frequent dosing, while a longer half-life may permit less frequent administration but could also mean that the drug stays at a potentially toxic level in the plasma for an extended period.

Furthermore, drugs can be categorized based on whether they have dose-dependent or time-dependent efficacy. Dose-dependent drugs require higher concentrations for a short duration, whereas time-dependent drugs rely on maintaining a consistent concentration over a more extended period to be effective.