ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ReadingMedium
A patient is prescribed a new medication and receives the following instructions from the pharmacist: 'Take one tablet by mouth twice daily, with food. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Finish the entire course of medication, even if you feel better.' What is the most critical instruction for ensuring the medication's effectiveness and preventing resistance?
- ATaking one tablet by mouth twice daily
- BNot crushing or chewing the tablet
- CTaking the medication with food
- DFinishing the entire course of medication
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Finishing the entire course of medication
Finishing the entire course of medication is crucial for ensuring the medication's effectiveness, especially for antibiotics, and preventing the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Stopping early can allow surviving pathogens to multiply and become resistant.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is important for consistent dosing but not directly linked to preventing resistance.
- B. Not crushing/chewing is important for proper drug release and absorption, but finishing the course is more critical for resistance.
- C. Taking with food is important for absorption or reducing side effects, not directly for effectiveness or resistance prevention.
Medication Adherence: Completing Course
Adherence to the full prescribed duration of medication, especially antibiotics, is vital to eliminate pathogens completely and prevent the development of drug resistance.
- Prevents recurrence of infection.
- Minimizes development of antibiotic resistance.
- Ensures full therapeutic effect.
Memory trick: Follow the full path for a lasting cure.