A nurse practitioner is caring for a 90-year-old adult with ...

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A nurse practitioner is caring for a 90-year-old adult with asthma who has comorbid dementia and severe osteoarthritis in the hands. The nurse practitioner considers inhaled medications to manage the asthma.
 
  Which of the following factors should the nurse take into consideration when developing the medication plan for this patient? (Select all that apply.)
  a. The patient's ability to swallow safely
  b. The patient's manual dexterity
  c. The patient's age
  d. The patient's cognitive status
  e. The patient's mobility status

Question 2

A nurse is assessing an older adult's respiratory status. Which of the following are normal age-related changes in the respiratory system? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Diminished cough reflex
  b. Stiffening of the chest wall
  c. Increased resistance to airflow
  d. Decreased respiratory rate
  e. Loss of elastic recoil

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Answer to Question 1

ANS: B, D
Inhaled medications may be taken a number of ways. When choosing which method to order, the prescriber needs to consider the manual dexterity of the patient as well as the cognitive ability to follow directions. The patient's age, ability to swallow, and mobility do not directly impact the ordering of inhaled medications.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C, E
Age-related changes include loss of elastic recoil, stiffening of the chest wall, and increased re-sistance to airflow leading to more effort required for movement of the diaphragm. A diminished cough reflex is a normal age-related change. A decreased respiratory rate is not a normal age-related change.

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