A 68-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She is started on an aminophylline infusion. Three days later she is breathing easier. A serum theophylline level is drawn.
Which of the following values represents a therapeutic level?
A . 14 μ g/mL
B . 25 μ g/mL
C . 4 μ g/mL
D . 30 μ g/mL
Answer: A
Explanation:
(A) The therapeutic blood level range of theophylline is 10C20 mg/mL. Therapeutic drug monitoring determines effective drug dosages and prevents toxicity. (B, D) This value is a toxic level of the drug.
(C) This value is a nontherapeutic level of the drug.