NCLEX-CGFNS: Therapeutic Doses

Some questions on real NCLEX-CGFNS exams will test nurse knowledge in relation with drugs. Drug doses will be ordered by doctor while nurse will administer the drug as prescribed. One of nurse responsibility is to monitor the response patient in relation the effectiveness of the drugs given to patient.

Accordance to the assessment of the drug effectiveness, nurse should has knowledge about the therapeutic doses in specific drugs. Here are the most common drugs with therapeutic doses come in real exams.

Compazine (prochlorperazine)
7.5 – 15 mg/dl

Digoxin (Lanoxin)
0.5 – 2 mg

Lithium
Acute dose: 0.5 – 1.5 mEq
Maintenance dose: 0.5 – 1.2 mEq
For elderly patients, serum level should not exceed: 1.0 mEq/L


Magnesium sulfate
1.5 – 3.0 mEq/L

Mellaril (Thioridazine)
Maximum daily doses is 800 mg

Theo-Dur (Theophylline)
10 – 20 ug/ml