A nurse is caring for a psychiatric client age 70 years who has ...

[aabwk4]

A nurse is caring for a psychiatric client age 70 years who has been prescribed a number of medications. When educating the client on the medications, which explanation would be most appropriate?
 
  A) Your stomach empties more quickly as you age; therefore, you may feel the effect of your medications almost immediately.
  B) Your entire GI system speeds up, so your medications are digested much more quickly. Therefore, it is important that you not drive after you take your medications.
  C) Because of your age and related changes in liver functioning, you may have medication levels in your system with the potential to be toxic.
  D) Because of age-related circulation changes, your body will be able to deliver therapeutic doses of your medication to select body sites more quickly.

Question 2

During the stabilization phase of drug therapy for a patient who is hospitalized with a psychiatric disorder, which action would be most appropriate?
 
  A) Discussing the timing of tapering the medication
  B) Instructing the patient about relapse prevention
  C) Determining whether the medication is losing its effect
  D) Assessing the patient for target symptoms and side effects

[triiciiaa]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: C
The activity of hepatic enzymes slows with age. As a result, the ability of the liver to metabolize medications may slow to as much as a fourfold decrease between the ages of 20 and 70 years. Thus the client is at increased risk for toxicity. Gastric pH increases, and gastric emptying and motility decrease, which can influence absorption.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: D
During stabilization, the medication dosage is adjusted or titrated to achieve the maximum amount of improvement with a minimum of side effects. Psychiatricmental health nurses assess target symptoms, looking for changes or improvements and side effects. Education about relapse prevention and target symptoms and assessing whether the medication is losing its effect occur during the maintenance phase. Tapering occurs during the discontinuation phase.

[aabwk4]

Excellent

[alvinum]

TYSM