Question

a peak and trough level is prescribed for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. when should the nurse should obtain the trough level?

a immediately before the next antibiotic dose is given.

b upon completion of the prescribed antibiotic regime.

c sixty minutes after the antibiotic dose is administered.

d an hour before the next antibiotic dose is given.

Explanation:

To determine when to obtain a trough level for antibiotic therapy, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Trough levels measure the lowest drug concentration in the blood. This occurs immediately before the next dose (as the drug has been metabolized/excreted since the last dose).
• Option B: Obtaining at the end of the regime is not for trough (trough is during therapy to adjust dosing).
• Option C: 60 minutes after dosing is closer to peak (or during distribution phase), not trough.
• Option D: An hour before the next dose is not the lowest point; immediately before is when the drug level is lowest before re - dosing.

Answer:

A. Immediately before the next antibiotic dose is given.