Exam 7: Geriatric Considerations

A 75-year-old patient is readmitted to the hospital to treat recurrent pneumonia. The patient had been discharged home with a prescription for antibiotics 5 days prior. The nurse admitting this patient will take which initial action?

The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient who is taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which action does the nurse understand is important when caring for this patient?

To assist an older, confused patient to adhere to a multidrug regimen, the nurse will provide which recommendation?

The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old patient who lives independently. The patient will begin a new drug regimen that requires taking multiple drugs at various times per day. Which intervention is appropriate for the nurse to implement with this patient?

Which drug properties are potentially problematic for older patients? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is receiving multiple medications. When monitoring this patient for potential drug toxicity, the nurse should review which lab values particularly closely given the patients advanced age?

The nurse is preparing an 80-year-old patient for discharge home from the hospital. The patient will receive several new medications. The patient lives alone but has several family members who stop by every day. The patient reports problems with manual dexterity and difficulty with childproof medication bottles. Which suggestions will the nurse make for this family? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for an older patient who is taking 25 mg per day of hydrochlorothiazide. The nurse will closely monitor which lab value in this patient?

An 80-year-old patient is being treated for an infection. An order for which type of antibiotic would cause concern for the nurse caring for this patient?

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an 80-year-old patient who has frequent hospital admissions. The patient appears more disoriented and confused than usual. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate at this time?

An older patient takes ibuprofen for arthritis pain. The patient tells the nurse that the ibuprofen causes GI upset. Which action will the nurse take with this patient?

A 75-year-old patient will be discharged home with a prescription for an opioid analgesic. To help the patient minimize adverse effects, what will the nurse recommend for this patient?

An older patient who reports a 2- to 3-year history of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms will begin taking ranitidine (Zantac) to manage her symptoms. The patient has completed a health history form. The nurse notes that the patient answered "no" when asked if any medications were being taken. Which action will the nurse take next?

The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old patient who takes digoxin to treat chronic atrial fibrillation. When caring for this patient, to monitor for drug side effects, what will the nurse carefully assess?