Deck 12: Geriatric Pharmacology

Question 1

An older adult client is ordered to receive digoxin (Lanoxin). The client has decreased renal function. Which condition could indicate digoxin toxicity?

A) Elevated blood pressure
B) Decreased blood pressure
C) Heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute
D) Heart rate less than 60 beats per minute

Answer 1

Heart rate less than 60 beats per minute

Question 2

A client takes ibuprofen to deal with the pain of arthritis. The client complains of gastrointestinal symptoms. Which is an appropriate strategy for the nurse to teach the client?

A) "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B) "Do not take the medication if it has side effects."
C) "Try to take an antacid 1 hour before the dose."
D) "You must take the medication anyway."

Answer 2

"Try to take an antacid 1 hour before the dose."

Question 3

The nurse is caring for an older adult client who complains that she has to take multiple medications at various times throughout the day. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for the nurse to implement with this client?

A) Encourage family members or friends to monitor drug regimen.
B) Explain the purpose, drug action, and importance of medication.
C) Develop a chart indicating times to take drugs.
D) Provide time for questions; reinforce with written information.

Answer 3

Develop a chart indicating times to take drugs.

Question 4

Which older adult client is most likely to experience digoxin toxicity?

A) 72-year-old man who is also experiencing hyperkalemia
B) 74-year-old woman who is also experiencing hypokalemia
C) 66-year-old woman who is also experiencing hypercalcemia
D) 62-year-old woman who is also experiencing hypocalcemia

Question 5

An older adult client says that he has difficulty removing the cap from his medication bottle. He says, "That's why I don't always take my medication." The nurse should suggest that he:

A) ask a neighbor to help him remove the bottle cap.
B) ask the pharmacist to put the drug in a non-childproof container.
C) have a family member visit daily to prepare his medications.
D) ask the healthcare provider not to prescribe drugs that come in childproof bottles.

Question 6

A client is demonstrating signs and symptoms of disorientation. Which question by the nurse would be appropriate, related to the client's medication use?

A) "Are you taking any new medications?"
B) "Do you take medications with a full glass of water?"
C) "Do your medications make you constipated?"
D) "Have you been diagnosed with dementia?"

Question 7

The physician is recommending a benzodiazepine medication for an older adult client who has previously been treated with Valium. The nurse recognizes that which medication would be most appropriate for this client?

A) Librium
B) Dalmane
C) Ativan
D) Equanil

Question 8

The diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ; HydroDIURIL) is usually prescribed for the older adult in a lower dose. The nurse recognizes that this is an attempt to prevent the older adult from experiencing a(n):

A) increase in potassium loss.
B) decrease in sodium loss.
C) decrease in blood sugar levels.
D) increase in red and white blood cell count.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for an older adult client and a middle-aged adult client. The nurse anticipates that the medication doses for the older adult will be _____ those for the middle-aged adult.

A) the same as
B) less than
C) slightly more than
D) twice as much as

Question 10

A nurse is administering medication to an older adult client. The nurse is aware that the client's half-life is longer than that of middle-aged adults. What nursing intervention is indicated by this premise?

A) Provide higher doses to achieve therapeutic effects.
B) Assess the client for adverse reactions.
C) Monitor the client for signs of accumulation.
D) Provide education to the client on drug reactions.

Question 11

The older adult client is prescribed a drug that is excreted through the urine. The nurse anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed to evaluate renal function before administration of the medication?

A) Blood urea nitrogen
B) Serum albumin
C) Serum electrolytes
D) White blood cell count

Question 12

The nurse notes that Cimetidine has been prescribed for an older adult client. The nurse's highest priority would be to call:

A) the physician.
B) the pharmacist.
C) the nursing supervisor.
D) Poison Control.

Question 13

The nurse plans to closely monitor an older adult client who is receiving multiple drugs for evidence of adequate excretion of the medications. Which two major organs affecting drug clearance from the body should be monitored when an older adult client is receiving multiple drugs?

A) Kidneys and lungs
B) Kidneys and pancreas
C) Liver and pancreas
D) Liver and kidneys

Question 14

The nurse recognizes that polypharmacy is more likely to occur in an older adult client because the older client:

A) has difficulty maintaining a list of current medications.
B) experiences changes in visual capability.
C) experiences alterations in mental capacity.
D) may obtain prescribed drugs from various providers.

Question 15

The nurse is aware that increased _____ may affect the absorption of medications.

A) gastric motility
B) alkaline gastric secretion
C) intestinal emptying time
D) peristalsis