An 86-year-old patient is seen in clinic for a scheduled follow-up after starting a new oral medication 1 month prior.The patient reports no change in symptoms,and a laboratory test reveals a subtherapeutic serum drug level.The NP caring for this patient should:

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Because of cost concerns,poor understanding of a drug's actions,or confusion about how to take a medication,many elderly patients do not comply with drug regimens and may not take drugs as prescribed.Before increasing the frequency or amount of a drug,it is important to assess first whether or not the patient has been taking the drug as ordered.Counting the number of pills in the bottle will help the provider assess whether the patient is taking the drug as ordered.Changes in gastric motility do not generally have major effects on the effectiveness or serum drug levels of medications.

An 86-Year-Old Patient Is Seen in Clinic for a Scheduled