Chapter 11: Drug Therapy in Geriatric Patients

Chapter 11: Drug Therapy in Geriatric Patients

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

1. An 84-year-old patient is 3 days postoperative from a right hip replacement. The patient is taking more than 14 different scheduled medications and six PRN medications, including analgesics. The nurse is concerned about renal function and should assess the patient’s

a.	creatinine clearance.
b.	sodium levels.
c.	potassium levels.
d.	urinalysis.

 

 

ANS:   A

The proper index of renal function in the elderly is creatinine clearance, which indicates renal function in elderly patients whose organs are undergoing age-related deterioration.

Sodium levels are not indicative of renal function.

Potassium levels are not indicative of renal function.

A urinalysis analyzes urine, not renal function.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    pp. 96-97

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A nurse is caring for an elderly patient on multiple medications. The nurse suspects that age-related toxicity may have developed. Which laboratory/diagnostic test would provide the best indication of renal function?

a.	Creatinine clearance
b.	Renal biopsy
c.	Urinalysis
d.	Blood urea nitrogen

 

 

ANS:   A

The proper index of renal function in the elderly is creatinine clearance.

A renal biopsy would not be indicated as an index of renal function without other initial laboratory/diagnostic testing.

A urinalysis analyzes urine, not renal function.

Blood urea nitrogen can evaluate renal function; however, it also can be altered by other factors, such as hydration status; therefore, it is not the best indicator of renal function.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension      REF:    pp. 96-97

TOP:    Nursing Process: Diagnosis

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. A nurse formulates nursing diagnoses for an older adult who takes 12 prescription drugs daily. The nurse designates “Risk for falls” as the priority diagnosis because risk for falls is related to

a.	age-related mobility issues, not necessarily the drugs being taken.
b.	inappropriate use of prescription drugs.
c.	potential drug interactions and toxicity.
d.	rapid drug excretion.

 

 

ANS:   C

Adverse drug reactions are seven times more common in the elderly than in younger adults and may contribute to an increased risk for drug interactions, toxicity, and falls.

Mobility may decline in the elderly, increasing the risk for falls; however, this option ignores the link between falls and medication use in the elderly.

Inappropriate use of prescription drugs is a concern, but it is not the best reasoning for an increased risk for falls in the elderly.

Rapid drug excretion should not contribute to an increased risk for falls in the elderly.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 97

TOP:    Nursing Process: Diagnosis

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential