Which medications are acceptable as range orders?

Range orders are typically used for medications where dosages can be adjusted based on the patient's needs, allowing for flexibility in administration. The correct choice includes opioids and antitussives, as these medications are often prescribed with a range to accommodate varying levels of severity in symptoms or pain.

Opioids may be ordered with a range to manage pain effectively, allowing healthcare providers to tailor the dosage to the patient's response and need for pain relief. Similarly, antitussives can be dosed based on the severity and frequency of cough, requiring adjustments to provide optimal relief without overmedicating the patient.

Other categories of medications listed do not commonly use range orders in their dosing practices. For instance, antihistamines and antidepressants generally have fixed dosing due to their pharmacological properties and the necessity for a steady state for effectiveness. Antibiotics typically require specific dosing schedules to ensure efficacy and avoid resistance, while vaccines are administered at specific doses that do not vary. Lastly, although analgesics can sometimes be given as range orders, anxiolytics typically follow more structured dosing schedules. Thus, the combination of opioids and antitussives specifically aligns with the concept of range orders in pharmacology.