Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) Practice Exam

Patients receiving aminoglycosides should have their peak levels checked how soon before the next dose?

1. 10 minutes

2. 30 minutes

3. 1 hour

4. 2 hours

The correct answer is: 30 minutes

In the context of aminoglycoside administration, monitoring peak levels is essential for ensuring therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing toxicity. The appropriate timing for checking peak levels is critical because it must occur when the drug reaches its highest concentration in the bloodstream, which is shortly after administration but prior to the next dose. Checking the peak level 30 minutes after the administration of the aminoglycoside is the standard practice. At this point, the drug has typically reached its peak concentration, providing an accurate measurement of the drug’s effectiveness and helping to inform any necessary adjustments to the dosage. This timing balances the need for accurate monitoring while ensuring that the patient is not excessively delayed for their next dose. The other time frames listed do not align with this established practice; measuring peak levels too soon (like 10 minutes) might not capture the maximum concentration, while waiting an hour or two can lead to readings that are not representative of the peak effect, thus providing less useful data for adjusting dosages accurately.