Beers Criteria and Drug Prescribing Considerations Geriatrics

Question 1

Problems with polypharmacy may be increased if older adults take medication dosages that are ___ ___

Answer 1

Too high

Question 2

Problems with polypharmacy may be increased if older adults take medications that are ____ prescribed

Answer 2

Incorrectly

Question 3

Problems with polypharmacy may be increased if older adults take medications that interact with ____ types of medications

Answer 3

Other

Question 4

Normal changes in aging:

____ absorption due to reduced secretion of gastric acid

Answer 4

Decreased

Question 5

Normal changes in aging: Decreased liver function may cause what to happen to drugs?

Answer 5

Unchanged; more active drug

Question 6

Normal changes in aging: _____ lean body mass

Answer 6

Decreased

Question 7

Normal changes in aging:

____ body fat

Answer 7

Increased

Question 8

Normal changes in aging:

____ total body water; what does this lead to?

Answer 8

Decreased; drug more concentrated in blood

Question 9

Normal changes in aging:

______ plasma proteins; what does this lead to?

Answer 9

Decreased; more active drug

Question 10

Normal changes in aging:

______ kidney function

Answer 10

Decreased

Question 11

Normal doses of drug act at ____ levels in a geriatric patient

Answer 11

Overdose

Question 12

With greater frequency of dosing -> ____ compliance

Answer 12

Less

Question 13

Normal changes in aging:

How do Liver diseases have an effect on drug metabolism? What needs to be done?

Answer 13

Drug metabolism is reduced -> dosing must be reduced

Question 14

Normal changes in aging:

How do Renal diseases have an effect on drug metabolism? What needs to be done?

Answer 14

• Results in renal impairment of drug excretion

- Dosing must be modified on the basis of renal clearance values of the drug

Question 15

Medications are added to the beer’s criteria because:

Answer 15

• Pose high risk for adverse effects
• Limited effectiveness in older patients
• Alternatives are available

Question 16

What types of medications are on the Beer’s Criteria

Answer 16

• Antipsychotics
• Barbiturates
• Benzos

Question 17

Why are anypsychotics on the beer’s criteria?

Answer 17

Increased risk for cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and mortality in persons with dementia

Question 18

Why are barbiturates on the beer’s criteria?

Answer 18

High rate of physical dependence; tolerance to sleep benefits; greater risk of overdose at low dosages

Question 19

Why are benzos on the beer’s criteria?

Answer 19

Increased sensitivity

Decreased metabolism

Question 20

Do not use benzos for patients over 65 for treatment of what three conditions?

Answer 20

Insomnia, agitation and delirium