DRUG THERAPY IN OLDER ADULTS Flashcards
A patient has nine drugs prescribed to take daily.
Which are common reasons for nonadherence to
the drug regimen in an older adult?
-Taking multiple drugs at one time
-Impaired memory
-Decreased dexterit
The nurse is reviewing a patient’s list of drugs.
The nurse understands that the older adult’s
slower absorption of oral drugs is primarily
because of which phenomenon?
Decreased gastric blood flow
The older adult patient has questions about oral
drug metabolism. Information on what subject is
most important to include in this patient’s
teaching plan?
First-pass effect
An older patient has just started on hydrochlorothiazide and is advised by the health
care provider to eat foods rich in potassium.
What is the nurse’s best recommendation of
foods to consume?
Avocados and mushrooms
The nurse is developing teaching materials for an
82-year-old African American man with macular
degeneration, who is being discharged on two
new drugs. Which strategies would be best to use
to impart the information?
-Limit distractions in the room when teaching.
-Augment teaching with audio material
-Use large, dark print on a light background for
wrien material.
What changes with aging alter drug distribution
-A decrease in muscle mass and an increase in
fat
- A decrease in serum albumin levels
- A decrease in kidney mass
What factors contribute to polypharmacy in older
adults?
-Multiple health care providers
-Multiple chronic diseases
What is the best measure for the nurse to use to
determine a patient’s kidney function?
-Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Refers to the use of more medications than is
medically necessary
Polypharmacy
What act that made it possible for older adults to obtain prescription drug coverage through Medicare
The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003
What are the nursing actions if the barriers to effective drug use by older are CHILDPROOF DRUG
BOTTLES?
Suggest that the patient request non-childproof bottle caps
What are the nursing actions if the barriers to effective drug use by older are SIDE EFFECTS OR ADVERSE REACTIONS FROM THE DRUG?
Educate the patient and family about the side effects to report to the health care provider
As a nurse it is our independent nursing action to do health teaching with older adults, the following are
the specific factors that enhance educational readiness and promote adherence in the older adult.
-Speak in a tone of voice that the patient can hear; sit facing the patient, and limit distractions
-Ensure that the patient is wearing eyeglasses and has working hearing aids in place if needed.
-Treat the patient with respect; never infantilize; expect that the patient can learn.
