RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 1730 of 2368

A client has advanced liver disease and is prescribed a drug broken down by the liver. Which effect on the drug's half-life should the nurse anticipate?

  1. The half-life will be shortened
  2. The half-life will not change
  3. The half-life may be prolonged
  4. The drug will be eliminated twice as fast
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Correct answer: The half-life may be prolonged

Liver disease can prolong half-life if the liver no longer metabolizes the medication effectively.

Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: HALF LIFE. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026