71. Which of the following is an IV medication that has a narrow therapeutic index and requires periodic laboratory monitoring to prevent patient harm?
Answer: D
Vancomycin is an IV medication that has a narrow therapeutic index and requires periodic laboratory monitoring to prevent patient harm.
Vancomycin is an intravenous medication known for its narrow therapeutic index, necessitating regular laboratory monitoring of drug levels to ensure efficacy while preventing toxicity.
A) Varenicline
Varenicline is primarily used for smoking cessation and does not possess a narrow therapeutic index. It does not require routine laboratory monitoring, making it an unsuitable choice in this context.
B) Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is an antidepressant that is not administered intravenously and does not have a narrow therapeutic index. It does not require the same level of monitoring as medications like vancomycin.
C) Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir, an antiviral medication, is typically given orally or intravenously but does not have a narrow therapeutic index. Monitoring is not routinely required for its safe use, thus it does not fit the criteria of the question.
D) Vancomycin
Vancomycin is an IV antibiotic with a narrow therapeutic index, making it critical to monitor serum levels periodically to avoid nephrotoxicity and ensure therapeutic effectiveness. This aligns perfectly with the question's requirements.
Conclusion
Vancomycin is definitively the correct answer as it is the only IV medication listed that requires regular laboratory monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic index. In contrast, the other options do not meet the criteria of requiring such monitoring or do not possess a narrow therapeutic index, confirming their incorrectness.