Deck 51: Geriatric Patients

Question 1

Robert is complaining of poor sleep.Medications that may contribute to sleep problems in the elderly include:

A) Diuretics
B) Trazodone
C) Clonazepam
D) Levodopa

Answer 1

Diuretics

Question 2

A medication review of an elderly person's medications involves:

A) Asking the patient to bring a list of current prescription medications to the visit
B) Having the patient bring all of their prescription,over-the-counter,and herbal medication to the visit
C) Asking what other providers are writing prescriptions for them
D) All of the above

Answer 2

All of the above

Question 3

To improve positive outcomes when prescribing for the elderly the nurse practitioner should:

A) Assess cognitive functioning in the elder
B) Encourage the patient to take a weekly "drug holiday" to keep drug costs down
C) Encourage the patient to cut drugs in half with a knife to lower costs
D) All of the above

Answer 3

Assess cognitive functioning in the elder

Question 4

Delta is an 88 year old who has mild low back pain.What guidelines should be followed when prescribing pain management for Delta?

A) Keep the dose of oxycodone low to prevent development of tolerance
B) Acetaminophen is the first-line drug of choice
C) Avoid prescribing NSAIDs
D) Add in a short-acting benzodiazepine for a synergistic effect on pain

Question 5

Sadie is a 90-year-old patient who requires a new prescription.What changes in drug distribution with aging would influence prescribing for Sadie?

A) Increased volume of distribution
B) Decreased lipid solubility
C) Decreased plasma proteins
D) Increased muscle to fat ratio

Question 6

When an elderly diabetic patient is constipated the best treatment options include:

A) Mineral oil
B) Bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium
C) Stimulant laxatives such as senna
D) Stool softeners such as docusate

Question 7

Glen is an 82 year old who needs to be prescribed a new drug.What changes in elimination should be taken into consideration when prescribing for Glen?

A) Increased GFR will require higher doses of some renally excreted drugs
B) Decreased tubular secretion of medication will require dosage adjustments
C) Thin skin will cause increased elimination via sweat
D) Decreased lung capacity will lead to measurable decreases in lung excretion of drugs

Question 8

Steps to avoid polypharmacy include:

A) Prescribing two or fewer drugs from each drug class
B) Reviewing a complete drug history every 12 to 18 months
C) Encouraging the elderly patient to coordinate their care with all of their providers
D) Evaluating for duplications in drug therapy and discontinuing any duplications

Question 9

Principles of prescribing for older adults include:

A) Avoiding prescribing any newer high-cost medications
B) Starting at a low dose and increasing the dose slowly
C) Keeping total dose at lower therapeutic range
D) All of the above

Question 10

Robert is a 72 year old who has hypertension and angina.He is at risk for common medication practices seen in the elderly including:

A) Use of another person's medications
B) Hoarding medications
C) Changing his medication regimen without telling his provider
D) All of the above