Exam 11: Drug Therapy in Geriatric Patients

The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about adherence to medication in older adults. Which statement by the student indicates understanding of the teaching?

A thin older adult woman is admitted to the hospital after several days of vomiting, diarrhea, and poor intake of foods and fluids. She has not voided since admission. In preparing to care for this patient, the nurse will look for what laboratory values to help guide medication administration?

An older adult patient is admitted to the hospital for treatment of an exacerbation of a chronic illness. Admission laboratory work reveals an extremely low serum drug level of the drug used to treat this condition. The patient has brought the medication to the hospital, along with other medications taken. The patient's renal and hepatic function tests are normal. What might the nurse suspect as a likely cause of this finding?

A nurse is reviewing an older adult patient's chart before giving medications. Which patient information is of most concern?

A nurse is preparing to teach a forgetful older adult patient about a multiple drug regimen to follow after discharge from the hospital. To help promote adherence, what will the nurse do?

A nurse is concerned about renal function in an 84-year-old patient who is taking several medications. What will the nurse assess?

Based on changes in hepatic function in older adult patients, which adjustment should the nurse expect for oral medications that undergo extensive first-pass metabolism?

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about administering medications to older adult patients. Which statement by a student indicates a need for further teaching?

A nurse is obtaining a drug history from an older adult patient who is taking multiple medications prescribed by different providers. Which two medications taken together create a reason for concern?

A nurse is making a home visit to an older adult woman who was recently discharged home from the hospital with a new prescription. The nurse notes that a serum drug level drawn the day before was subtherapeutic. What will the nurse do next?

A nurse is preparing to give medications to four older patients who are all taking multiple medications. Which patient is most likely to have an adverse drug reaction related to increased drug effects?

A nurse is caring for an older adult patient during the immediate postoperative period after a total hip replacement. The surgeon has ordered meperidine [Demerol] for severe pain. What will the nurse do?