Chapter 3: Lifespan Considerations Flashcards
The nurse is assessing a newly admitted 83-year-old patient and determines that the patient is experiencing polypharmacy. Which statement most accurately illustrates polypharmacy?
The patient uses multiple medications simultaneously
Polypharmacy usually occurs when a patient has several illnesses and takes medications for each of them, possibly prescribed by different specialists who may be unaware of other treatments the patient is undergoing
The nurse is aware that confusion, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls are common responses in an elderly patient who is taking which type of drug?
Sedatives
Sedatives and hypnotics often cause confusion, daytime sedation, ataxia, lethargy, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls in the elderly
The nurse recognizes that it is not uncommon for an elderly patient to experience a reduction in the stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid. This change may result in which effect?
Altered absorption of weakly acidic drugs
Reduction in the stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid is an aging-related change that results in a decrease in gastric acidity and may alter the absorption of weakly acidic drugs
An 83-year-old woman has been given a thiazide diuretic to treat mild heart failure. She and her daughter should be told to watch for which problems?
Fatigue, leg cramps, and dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance, leg cramps, fatigue, and dehydration are common complications when thiazide diuretics are given to elderly patients
The nurse is trying to give a liquid medication to a 7-year-old child and notes that the medication has a strong taste. Which technique is the best way for the nurse to give the medication to this child?
Give the medication with a spoonful of ice cream.
Ice cream or another nonessential food disguises the taste of the medication.
The nurse is preparing to give an injection to a 4-year-old child. Which intervention is age appropriate for this child?
Offer a brief, concrete explanation of the procedure at the patient’s level and with the parent or caregiver present.
For a 4-year-old child, offering a brief, concrete explanation about a procedure just beforehand, with the parent or caregiver present, is appropriate
