A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for an older adult client. Which of the following physiological changes should the nurse recommend considering when administering medication?
Increased liver function
Increased metabolism
Decreased pulmonary function
Decreased kidney function
The Correct Answer is D
As individuals age, there is a natural decline in kidney function. This can result in a reduced ability to filter and excrete medications and their metabolites from the body. The decreased kidney function can lead to a longer half-life of medications, increased drug accumulation, and an increased risk of adverse drug reactions. It is important for the nurse to adjust medication dosages and frequencies based on the individual's renal function to prevent drug toxicity.
Increased liver function: Aging is associated with a gradual decline in liver function. While there may be some individual variations, in general, liver function decreases rather than increases with age. However, changes in liver function can affect the metabolism and elimination of medications. Some medications may require dosage adjustments based on liver function, but it is not a common physiological change in older adults.
Increased metabolism: Aging is generally associated with a decrease in metabolism rather than an increase. The metabolic rate tends to slow down with age, which can affect the pharmacokinetics of medications. Slower metabolism can result in medications taking longer to be metabolized and cleared from the body, potentially leading to prolonged drug effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
When a mother states that she should have her baby latch on to both the nipple and areola during breastfeeding, it demonstrates an understanding of the correct latch technique. A proper latch involves the baby taking in not just the nipple but also a portion of the surrounding areola. This ensures effective milk transfer and helps prevent nipple soreness or damage.
"My baby should breastfeed 5 to 10 minutes on each breast": This statement is not entirely accurate. It is important to understand that breastfeeding duration can vary among infants, and there is no fixed timeframe for how long a baby should breastfeed on each breast. Some infants
may nurse for shorter periods, while others may take longer. The focus should be on ensuring that the baby is effectively nursing and getting enough milk rather than adhering strictly to a specific time limit.
"I should keep my baby on a strict feeding schedule": This statement is incorrect. Breastfeeding on demand, also known as responsive feeding, is generally recommended for newborns.
Newborns should be fed whenever they show signs of hunger, such as rooting, sucking motions, or increased alertness. Strict feeding schedules can interfere with the baby's natural feeding cues and hinder milk supply establishment.
"I should not wake my baby during the night to breastfeed": This statement is not accurate, especially for a 5-day-old newborn. Newborns typically need frequent feeding, including during the night, to meet their nutritional needs and support proper growth and development. It is generally recommended to wake a sleeping newborn every 2-3 hours during the night to ensure adequate feeding and prevent excessive weight loss.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A nurse collecting data from a client who reports having diarrhea for the past 3 days should identify that muscle weakness is a symptom of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition in which the blood potassium level is low and can be caused by excessive fluid loss through diarrhea. Potassium helps regulate muscle contractions, so when blood potassium levels are low, muscles may produce weaker contractions which result in muscle weakness.
The other options are not typical symptoms of hypokalemia.
a) Pitting edema is not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
b) Diplopia is not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
d) Hyperactive bowel sounds are not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
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