Author Question: The nurse is aware that the older adult is at risk for drug-induced delirium. Which age-related ... (Read 127 times)

mydiamond · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is aware that the older adult is at risk for drug-induced delirium. Which age-related change contributes to this risk?

a. Slower bowel motility
b. Reduced fluid intake
c. Overall reduced metabolism
d. Sedentary lifestyle

Question 2

An 85-year-old man is admitted to the hospital with gastroenteritis and dehydration. He receives a dose of meclizine hydrochloride, an anticholinergic, for vomiting. He begins to hallucinate and talk to his wife, who has been dead for 10 years.

Which explanation best describes this behavior?
a. Dementia related to advanced age
b. Delirium related to dehydration
c. Dementia related to early Alzheimer's disease (AD)
d. Delirium related to side effect of anticho-linergic

chjcharjto14 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Slower renal and liver clearance of drugs allows the drugs to accumulate in the system of the older adult.

Answer to Question 2

D
Anticholinergic drugs can cause sudden confusion in older adults. There is nothing in the history that suggests that the behavior would be related to AD or any other dementia as dementias progress slowly. Dehydration would increase the effect of the anticholinergic.