Ch. 9 (Safe Medication Use)

Question 1

What is the listing of drugs taht carry high risks for older adults and criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults?

Answer 1

beers criteria

Question 2

What refers to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs?

Answer 2

pharmacokinetics

Question 3

What refers to the biologic and therapeutic efects drugs at the site of action or on the target organ?

Answer 3

pharmacodynamics

Question 4

Do older adults have a decreased or increased risk for adverse reactions with medication use?

Answer 4

increased risk

Question 5

What are factors that alter absorption of medications?

Answer 5

• route of administration (IV = fastest, orally = slowest)
• concentration & solubility of drug

Question 6

What refer to the time necessary for half of a drug to be excreted from the body?

Answer 6

biological half-life

Question 7

Can dehydration decrease or increase drug distribution?

Answer 7

decrease

Question 8

What refers to the use of multiple medications?

Answer 8

polypharmacy

Question 9

What organs help with medication excretion?

Answer 9

• kidneys
• liver

Question 10

What are some general factors regarding adverse medication reactions in older adults?

Answer 10

• S&S differ
• reaction takes longer to become apparent
• may show ever after med. discontinued
• may develop suddenly (even after long-term use)

Question 11

What is often an early adverse medication reaction in older adults?

Answer 11

mental dysfunction

may be subtle changes

Question 12

What is the most common route to administer drugs?

Answer 12

oral administration

Question 13

When administering IM drug in a immobile limb, will the absorption rate be reduced or increased?

Answer 13

reduced

will be on exam

Question 14

What can excessive use or not finishing a complete dose of antibiotics lead to?

Answer 14

antibotic-resistant bacteria

Question 15

What are the side effects of antibiotics?

Answer 15

• diarrhea
• n/v
• anorexia
• allergic reactions

Question 16

What are signs of digitalis toxicity?

Answer 16

• bradycardia
• diarrhea
• anorexia
• n/v
• abdominal pain
• delirium
• hallucinations
• aphasia

check digoxin lvls if suspect toxicity

Question 17

What education do we provide to patients about antihypertensive medications?

Answer 17

• some can cause significant hypotension initially
• advise pt to change positions slowly to prevent falls