Question

When comparing a drug that has a strong attraction to albumin with one that has a weak attraction, the nurse would anticipate distribution of the drug with the strong attraction would be:

A. higher than the distribution of the drug, with the weaker attraction

B. no different that the distribution of the drug with the weaker attraction.

C. lower than the distribution of the drug with the weaker attraction.

D. decreased by the presence of a drug that displaces the drug from the albumin.

The correct answer is C. Could someone explain to me why it is C and not A?

Answer 1

Yes.

When the attraction of the drug to the protein (here albumin) is higher, then there will be greater and strong drug and protein binding complex formation. And there will be formation of Depot, from where the release of free drug will be slower than in comparison to that case where this drug- protein complexation is lower as the attraction is lower.

Thus the drug distribution will be lower in first case where there is strong drug protein binding due to strong attraction, because the amount of free drug available will be low for the drug distribution.

Hence option C is correct.