Deck 9: Geropharmacology

Question 1

An antihypertensive medication has been prescribed for an older patient with hypertension. The patient tells a clinic nurse that he would like to take an herbal substance to help lower his blood pressure instead of the prescription medication. Which of the following should the nurse do? (Select all that apply.)

A) Tell the patient that herbal substances are less effective than prescription medications
B) Encourage the patient to discuss the use of an herbal substance with his primary care provider
C) Explore with the patient which herbal substance he is planning on taking
D) Educate the patient on possible interactions of the herbal substance with his other medications
E) Instruct the patient not to take the herbal substance, as it is dangerous

Answer 1

Encourage the patient to discuss the use of an herbal substance with his primary care provider
Explore with the patient which herbal substance he is planning on taking
Educate the patient on possible interactions of the herbal substance with his other medications

Question 2

The Beers Criteria is an effective tool for health care professionals prescribing and/or managing the medication therapy of older adults since it identifies medications that for this population:

A) are not typically covered by drug benefit plans.
B) have a higher than usual risk for injury.
C) are likely to be abused.
D) generally cause allergic reactions.

Answer 2

have a higher than usual risk for injury.

Question 3

An 81-year-old patient is being discharged from the hospital to home. She is on seven different medications, which are to be taken at four different times during the day. What would be most useful in helping this patient manage her medications?

A) The package inserts from all of the medications for the client to read
B) A pillbox with compartments for each day and each of the doses
C) A written list of all the client's medications and administration routine
D) A suggestion that the client's daughter administer the medications

Answer 3

A pillbox with compartments for each day and each of the doses

Question 4

When developing a teaching plan for an older, newly diagnosed diabetic client, the nurse best ensures an understanding of oral hypoglycemic medications when providing:

A) the package insert and assessing the client's reading skills.
B) the client with the website address for the American Diabetes Association.
C) oral explanations and sending the client home with a written copy.
D) the information in paragraph form as opposed to numbered line fashion.

Question 5

A 77-year-old Hispanic Catholic nun (retired) who immigrated to the United States 15 years ago lives alone but in an apartment complex where her biological sister lives as well. She is being discharged home after a hospitalization for congestive heart failure with prescriptions for eight different medications. She is considered at risk for noncompliance due to contributing factors that include: (Select all that apply.)

A) language barrier.
B) living alone.
C) large number of medications.
D) ethnic background.
E) religious background.

Question 6

When discussing pharmacological considerations, a 68-year-old client asks, "Why do medications seem to act differently than they did when I was younger?" The nurse bases the response on the concept that:

A) age-related changes affect the way drugs are metabolized by older adults.
B) Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs have standardized dosages that are appropriate for all ages.
C) older adults may need larger doses of medication to bring about the desired effects.
D) adverse drug reactions occur with similar frequency in older adults as the general population.

Question 7

The area in which nurses have the greatest effect on the safe, effective medication therapy of an older client is:

A) educating the client to all aspects of the medication.
B) assessing for adverse reactions to the medication.
C) monitoring overall health of the client as it is affected by the medication.
D) evaluating the outcomes resulting from the medication.

Question 8

An older client prescribed a transdermal morphine patch for severe chronic pain is being educated on the appropriate administration of the medication. The nurse shows an understanding of essential information regarding this route of drug administration when stating: (Select all that apply.)

A) "This is an effective route for delivering small doses of medication over long periods of time."
B) "Since you have problems with digestion, this is a good way to take your medication."
C) "Please show me how you would apply your patch."
D) "Be careful to put the patch only on your chest but change locations with each application."
E) "Be sure to avoid placing the patch on injured skin."

Question 9

An older patient is prescribed warfarin for stroke prevention. A nurse is providing patient education. Which of the following foods should the patient be taught to avoid? (Select all that apply.)

A) Milk
B) Whole grains
C) Kale
D) Spinach
E) Red meats

Question 10

Which pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameter does the aging process least affect?

A) Absorption
B) Distribution
C) Metabolism
D) Excretion

Question 11

The nurse suspects that a client is experiencing tardive dyskinesia when observing that:

A) the client can't seem to stop moving.
B) the client's facial muscles are twisting involuntarily.
C) the client not able to get up out of a chair.
D) the client's hand tremors so much that drinking from a cup is difficult.

Question 12

The nurse's first response when told by a client during an assessment interview that he "can't take furosemide (Lasix)" is to ask:

A) "Is your health care provider aware that you are allergic to Lasix?"
B) "Can you describe what happened when you took Lasix?"
C) "When was the last time you took Lasix?"
D) "Have you any questions regarding your reaction to Lasix?"

Question 13

What factor is an important contribution to polypharmacy in older adults?

A) Inadequate communication among medical care providers
B) Implementation of Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit
C) Use of generic medications
D) Increasing popularity of dietary and herbal supplements

Question 14

When performing the initial assessment on a new client in a geriatric outpatients practice, the most effective method the nurse can implement to elicit an accurate medication assessment is to ask that the client:

A) make a list of all her current medications.
B) work with a family member to make a list of her medications.
C) bring in all of the medications that she is currently taking.
D) allow her previous primary care provider to provide a list of medications.

Question 15

Factors that affect the pharmacokinetics of lipophilic medications in older adults include:

A) greater adipose tissue ratio to body mass.
B) decreased total body water.
C) increased glomerular filtration rate.
D) increased creatinine clearance.