A 75-year-old man is being treated as an outpatient for metastatic prostate cancer.Which of the following statements is true regarding the management of pain with opioids in the elderly?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elderly patients often have decreased renal function, which can lead to accumulation of drugs and their metabolites, increasing the risk of toxicity. Opioids with a long half-life, like methadone, can accumulate and cause prolonged sedation or respiratory depression in the elderly. Serum creatinine alone is not a reliable measure of renal function in the elderly due to decreased muscle mass; creatinine clearance or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) provides a better assessment. Renal clearance of medications is generally slower, not faster, in the elderly, necessitating careful dosing and monitoring to avoid toxicity.

A 75-Year-Old Man Is Being Treated as an Outpatient for Metastatic