A nurse is reviewing an older adult patient's chart before giving ...

[Kikoku]

A nurse is reviewing an older adult patient's chart before giving medications. Which patient information is of most concern?
 
  a. Chronic constipation
  b. Increased body fat
  c. Low serum albumin
  d. Low serum creatinine

Question 2

Before administering a medication, what does the nurse need to know to evaluate how individual patient variability might affect the patient's response to the medication? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Chemical stability of the medication
  b. Ease of administration
  c. Family medical history
  d. Patient's age
  e. Patient's diagnosis

[SamMuagrove]

Answer to Question 1

C
Low serum albumin reduces protein binding of drugs and can cause levels of free drug to rise, increasing the risk of toxicity. Altered gastrointestinal (GI) absorption is not a major factor in drug sensitivity in the older adult, although delayed gastric emptying can delay drug responses. Increased body fat can alter drug distribution, causing reduced responses in lipid-soluble drugs. Low serum creatinine is a function of decreased lean muscle mass and does not reflect kidney function or drug excretion.

Answer to Question 2

C, D, E
The family medical history can indicate genetic factors that may affect a patient's response to a medication. Patients of different ages can respond differently to medications. The patient's ill-ness can affect how drugs are metabolized. The chemical stability of the medication and the ease of administration are properties of drugs.

[Kikoku]

Excellent

[Joy Chen]

Gracias!