A nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult client who takes several medications for different health problems.
The nurse recognizes that polypharmacy in older adults can increase the risk of which of the following?
Adverse drug reactions.
Medication adherence
Drug-drug interactions.
Therapeutic effects.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is A.
Adverse drug reactions.
Polypharmacy, which refers to the effects of taking multiple medications concurrently to manage coexisting health problems, is common among older adults.
It is defined as the regular use of at least five medications.
Polypharmacy can lead to an increase in geriatric syndromes, decrease in functional outcomes, and increased mortality.
One of the major risks of polypharmacy is adverse drug reactions, which are harmful or unintended effects of a medication that occur at normal doses.
Adverse drug reactions can result from drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, drug-age interactions, or inappropriate prescribing.
Adverse drug reactions can cause symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, falls, bleeding, or organ damage.
They can also lead to hospitalizations, increased health care costs, and reduced quality of life.
Choice B is wrong because medication adherence, which is the extent to which patients take medications as prescribed by their health care providers, can actually decrease with polypharmacy.
This is because taking multiple medications can be complex, costly, and burdensome for older adults, especially if they have cognitive impairment or low health literacy.
Medication adherence can also be influenced by patients’ beliefs, preferences, and expectations about their medications.
Choice C is wrong because drug-drug interactions are not a risk of polypharmacy per se, but rather a cause of adverse drug reactions.
Drug-drug interactions occur when two or more drugs affect each other’s pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) or pharmacodynamics (mechanism of action, efficacy, toxicity).
Drug-drug interactions can alter the therapeutic effects or safety of a medication.
Choice D is wrong because therapeutic effects are the intended or desired effects of a medication that benefit the patient’s health condition.
Therapeutic effects can decrease with polypharmacy due to drug-drug interactions that reduce the efficacy of a medication.
Therapeutic effects can also be diminished by prescribing cascade, which is a phenomenon where a new medication is prescribed to treat a symptom that is actually an adverse drug reaction of another medication.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are.
≤120/80.
mmHg for normal,.
120−129/80.
mmHg for elevated,.
130−139/80−89.
mmHg for stage 1 hypertension, and.
≥140/90.
mmHg for stage 2 hypertension.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer isD.
All of the above.
The nurse should take all of the actions listed to provide effective pain management for the older adult client who has depression and chronic pain in his lower back.
• Choice Ais correct because assessing the pain using a valid and reliable pain scale is essential for determining the severity and impact of pain, as well as monitoring the response to treatment.
• Choice Bis correct because administering analgesic medications as prescribed can help reduce pain and improve function.
The nurse should also monitor for effectiveness and side effects, especially in older adults who may have altered drug metabolism, polypharmacy, and increased risk of adverse events.
• Choice Cis correct because providing non-pharmacological interventions can enhance pain relief, reduce medication use, and address the biopsychosocial aspects of pain.
Massage, heat or cold therapy, relaxation techniques, and distraction are some examples of non-pharmacological interventions that can be used for chronic pain in older adults.
• Choice Dis correct because it includes all of the above actions, which are part of a multimodal approach to pain management that is recommended by clinical guidelines.
4 7 A multimodal approach can improve pain outcomes, reduce side effects, and address the complex needs of older adults with chronic pain.
A. Assess the location, intensity, quality and duration of the pain using a pain scale B.
Administer analgesic medications as prescribed and monitor for effectiveness and side effects C.
Provide non-pharmacological interventions such as massage, heat or cold therapy, relaxation techniques or distraction D.
All of the above
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is B.
Diphenhydramine.Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and sedative medication that can causedeliriumin older adults, especially when used in high doses or for a long time.Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of the surroundings.It can be caused by various factors, such as infections, medications, surgery, or alcohol or drug use or withdrawal.Delirium can have serious consequences, such as increased risk of falls, complications, and death.
Choice A is wrong because acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer that does not usually cause delirium in older adults.
However, acetaminophen overdose can cause liver damage and altered mental status.
Choice C is wrong because metformin is an oral medication that lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Metformin does not typically cause delirium in older adults.
However, metformin can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, which can cause confusion and other symptoms.
Choice D is wrong because lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that lowers blood pressure and prevents heart failure.
Lisinopril does not usually cause delirium in older adults.
However, lisinopril can cause a rare but serious condition called angioedema, which can cause swelling of the face, tongue, or throat and difficulty breathing.
Normal ranges for some relevant laboratory tests are:.
• Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL.
• Potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.
• Total cholesterol: <200 mg/dL.
• Hemoglobin: 13.5-17.5 g/dL for men; 12.0-15.5 g/dL for women.
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