A nurse is caring for an older adult client. The nurse should recognize that which of the following considerations apply to older adults and pharmacology? (Select all that apply).

Parenteral medications are avoided due to fragility of veins.

Older adults are at risk for drug toxicity due to accumulation in the body.

The elderly population is susceptible to polypharmacy

Medication metabolism tends to be faster in older adults.

Older adults have delayed absorption.

Older adults may require larger doses of medications.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : B,C,E

A) Parenteral medications are avoided due to fragility of veins: While it is true that older adults may have fragile veins, this does not mean that parenteral medications are universally avoided. Parenteral medications are still used based on clinical needs, though careful consideration is given to the condition of the veins.

B) Older adults are at risk for drug toxicity due to accumulation in the body: This is correct. As people age, their liver and kidney functions often decline, leading to decreased metabolism and excretion of drugs. This can result in drug accumulation and an increased risk of toxicity.

C) The elderly population is susceptible to polypharmacy: This is correct. Older adults often take multiple medications for various chronic conditions, increasing the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and complications. Polypharmacy is a common issue in this population.

D) Medication metabolism tends to be faster in older adults: This is incorrect. Medication metabolism generally slows down in older adults due to decreased liver function. Slower metabolism can lead to drug accumulation and increased risk of adverse effects.

E) Older adults have delayed absorption: This is correct. Although the rate of absorption may not be significantly affected, the overall absorption can be altered due to changes in gastrointestinal function and blood flow in older adults.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Increase the duration of action of the medication:
A loading dose is not intended to increase the duration of action of a medication. Instead, it aims to rapidly achieve therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. The duration of action is primarily influenced by the drug's half-life and how it's metabolized and excreted, rather than the initial dose.

B. Decrease the frequency of subsequent doses:
The primary goal of a loading dose is to reach therapeutic levels quickly, not necessarily to alter the frequency of future doses. While a loading dose can help achieve therapeutic levels faster, the dosing schedule is determined by the drug's pharmacokinetics and the condition being treated.

C. Achieve therapeutic drug levels more rapidly:
The main purpose of a loading dose is to quickly achieve a concentration of the medication in the blood that is sufficient to be therapeutic. By giving a larger initial dose, the medication reaches effective levels faster compared to gradually reaching those levels with smaller, incremental doses.

D. Minimize the risk of adverse effects:
Minimizing adverse effects is not the primary aim of a loading dose. While achieving therapeutic levels quickly may indirectly help in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes, the main purpose of a loading dose is to reach effective drug levels promptly, not specifically to reduce adverse effects.

Correct Answer is ["13.3"]

Explanation

Let's calculate the dosage step-by-step:

1. Determine the total daily dosage:
20 mg/dose x 4 doses/day = 80 mg/day

2. Calculate the volume needed for one dose:
20 mg / 1.5 mg/mL = 13.33 mL

3. Round to the nearest tenth:
13.33 L ≈ 13.3 mL

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A nurse is caring for an older adult client. The nurse should recognize that which of the following considerations apply to older adults and pharmacology? (Select all that apply).

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The healthcare provider orders azithromycin (Zithromax) 1000mg to be given as a loading dose. The nurse understands that the purpose of this loading dose is to:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The healthcare provider orders Ceftriaxone 20 mg IV every 6 hours. The instructions say to reconstitute 10 mg of Ceftriaxone with 6.5 ml of normal saline for a final concentration of 5 mg/ml. How many mL would the nurse administer? (Round to the nearest tenth)

Correct Answer is ["13.3"]

Explanation

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