Author Question: Why are older adults more prone to adverse drug reactions and interactions than younger adults? ... (Read 71 times)

nmorano1 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Why are older adults more prone to adverse drug reactions and interactions than younger adults?

1. Presence of fewer chronic disease states
2. More predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
3. Use of fewer chronic medications
4. Physiologic changes in body composition

Question 2

A nurse working at a clinic notices that a client is having problems reading the prescription bottles. Sometimes the client takes medications incorrectly because of difficulty reading the small print.

Which suggestion by the nurse can alleviate this problem?
1. Put the medication in a zip-top bag with the instructions written on it in large print.
2. Let the pharmacist get easy-open caps.
3. Stop taking the medications, as they are more likely to cause problems than to help if not taken correctly.
4. Ask the pharmacist to provide labels with large print that explain how to take the medication.

adf223 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Older clients tend to have more chronic disease states, not fewer.
Rationale 2: Pharmacokinetics are less predictable in older clients, not more.
Rationale 3: Older clients tend to use more chronic medications, not fewer.
Rationale 4: Physiologic changes in body composition can affect drug pharmacokinetics, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions.
Global Rationale: Physiologic changes in body composition can affect drug pharmacokinetics, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions. Older clients tend to have more chronic disease states, not fewer. Pharmacokinetics are less predictable in older clients, not more. Older clients tend to use more chronic medications, not fewer.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Medications generally should be stored only in properly labeled containers.
Rationale 2: Although effective for clients without good dexterity, easy-open caps will not help in this instance.
Rationale 3: If the medications are necessary, then it is inappropriate to stop them.
Rationale 4: Large-print labels will make the instructions easier for the client to read.
Global Rationale: Large-print labels will make the instructions easier for the client to read. Medications generally should be stored only in properly labeled containers. Although effective for clients without good dexterity, easy-open caps will not help in this instance. If the medications are necessary, then it is inappropriate to stop them.