A 75-year-old patient tells the nurse about experiencing extreme drowsiness after taking an over-the-counter cold medication. The nurse notes the patient ingested the prescribed amount of the medication. What should this information suggest to the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Older adults are more susceptible to adverse effects of medications due to changes in their metabolic and excretory systems. The extreme drowsiness experienced by the patient may be a result of the slow metabolism of the medication. It is important for healthcare providers to take into consideration the age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics when prescribing medication to older adults.

A 75-Year-Old Patient Tells the Nurse About Experiencing Extreme Drowsiness