Deck 16: Drugs and Aging

Question 1

A patient is receiving propranolol for hypertension.Which outcome demonstrates to the nurse that a priority goal related to medications has been met?

A)The patient verbalizes the importance of moderate exercise.
B)The patient experiences no injuries as a result of dizziness.
C)The patient's blood pressure stays within normal limits.
D)The patient describes symptoms indicative of an adverse drug reaction.

Answer 1

The patient experiences no injuries as a result of dizziness.

Question 2

When working with a patient suspected of substance abuse,the nurse is particularly interested in determining the cause of a patient's

A)acute abdominal pain.
B)recurring insomnia.
C)extensive history of falls.
D)chlordiazepoxide prescription.

Answer 2

extensive history of falls.

Question 3

When administering medications to older adults,the nurse shows an understanding of the effect of aging on drug distribution by monitoring which of the following most closely?

A)Cardiac function
B)Liver function
C)Red blood cell count
D)Plasma albumin levels

Answer 3

Plasma albumin levels

Question 4

A 78-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted to the acute care facility for reports of abdominal pain.Based on your understanding of alcohol withdrawal,the nurse knows that if patient is currently abusing alcohol,he will most likely

A)experience delirium tremors within 4 hours of hospitalization.
B)develop withdrawal symptoms 48 to 72 hours after the last intake of alcohol.
C)receive 1 ounce of alcohol every 4 hours while awake.
D)be prescribed diazepam for prevention of withdrawals

Question 5

To minimize the possible complications of polypharmacy among older adult patients,the nurse assesses this population for which of the following? (Select all that apply. )

A)Number of physicians providing medical care
B)Location of pharmacies where prescriptions are filled
C)Presence of chronic illnesses
D)Tendency to borrow medication from family or friend
E)Use of over-the-counter medication to self-medicate

Question 6

An older adult patient has been prescribed warfarin.The nurse's primary intervention involves daily assessment of which of the following?

A)Prothrombin time
B)Body for bruising
C)Serum creatinine level
D)Reflex tone

Question 7

A patient with diabetes and hypothyroidism is being admitted to an assisted living facility.During the admission assessment,the patient reports difficulty falling asleep.What question by the nurse is most appropriate?

A)"Have you ever been prescribed a pain medication?"
B)"How do you feel about leaving your home to live here?"
C)"How long have you been a diabetic?"
D)"Are you taking medication for your thyroid problem?"

Question 8

An older adult patient is currently undergoing detoxification for alcohol at a rehabilitation center.When assessing the patient using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment tool,the nurse determines the patient's current score to be 23.What action by the nurse is best?

A)Immediately institutes seizure precautions.
B)Monitors the patient's vital signs every 2 hours.
C)Arranges for the patient to be transferred to an acute care hospital.
D)Shares with the patient that the detoxification process is almost complete.

Question 9

A newly-admitted older patient reports taking varenicline.What question by the nurse is most important?

A)"How many packs of cigarettes did you smoke a day?"
B)"How much alcohol do you typically drink each day?"
C)"When was the last time you had your kidney function checked?"
D)"Do you frequently lose your prescription medications?"

Question 10

The nurse shows an understanding of medication-related risk factors common to older adults when asking which question?

A)"Are you aware of the possible side effects of your medications?"
B)"Do you regularly take any dietary supplements?"
C)"How do you keep track of when your medications are due?"
D)"How many different physicians are prescribing medications for you?"

Question 11

An older adult patient shares with the admitting nurse that she drinks "one shot" of whiskey nightly to help her sleep.What intervention does the nurse add to this patient's care plan?

A)Assess the patient for slurred speech,lack of coordination,and nystagmus.
B)Address the effects of alcohol abuse with the patient.
C)Provide the patient with an alcohol substitute.
D)Assess the patient for signs of agitation,as well as anxiety and seizures.

Question 12

An older adult patient is being assessed for possible alcohol abuse.Which question by the nurse is best?

A)"Have you ever experienced a memory loss as a result of consuming alcohol?"
B)"Would you drink to relax after a particularly stressful day?"
C)"Do you ever drink when you are alone?"
D)"How many alcoholic drinks do you consume each week?"

Question 13

Your patient reports frequent constipation as a result of prescription medications and asks the nurse for advice about using a daily over-the-counter laxative.The most appropriate response by the nurse is to do which of the following?

A)Tell the patient to consult the health practitioner before using nonprescription drugs.
B)Educate the patient about the side effects of regular laxative use.
C)Tell the patient to avoid laxatives because they can interfere with medications already being taken.
D)Tell the patient to consult a dietician about ways to correct chronic constipation.

Question 14

A 69-year-old patient was prescribed a benzodiazepine 3 years ago.The nurse should provide frequent patient assessment for which of the following? (Select all that apply. )

A)Daytime sleepiness
B)Unsteady gait
C)Shortness of breath
D)Easy bleeding
E)Forgetfulness

Question 15

An older adult diabetic patient is mildly hypertensive.The nurse prepares to educate the patient regarding angiotensin II-blocking agents.What information does the nurse include about these medications?

A)Protect the kidney's function.
B)Have a well-defined therapeutic window.
C)Are more effective than other drugs in the same class.
D)Can be given when liver function is compromised.

Question 16

The nurse is assessing patients for impending alcohol withdrawal.The nurse assesses the patient with which of the following conditions as a priority?

A)Pulse,58 beats/min;and BP 100/60
B)Pulse,118 beats/min;and BP 160/90
C)Dozing off in chair and not recognizing staff
D)Reporting muscle aches and frequent stumbling

Question 17

The nurse is caring for an older adult who reports severe chronic pain.To best assess age-related physiologic changes that could influence plans for initiating an appropriate drug regimen,the nurse prepares the patient for which laboratory evaluation?

A)White blood count
B)Glomerular filtration rate
C)Serum complement level
D)Electroencephalogram

Question 18

The nurse explains to ancillary staff that caffeine abuse is difficult to diagnose in the older adult patient because caffeine intoxication symptoms

A)can be confused with normal effects of aging.
B)often mimic those of some cardiac disorders.
C)produce fewer symptoms in older adults than in younger adults.
D)resemble the side effects of several antihypertensive drugs.

Question 19

The nurse must be able to distinguish between alcohol intoxication and alcohol withdrawal to intervene appropriately.The nurse suspects alcohol intoxication when the patient does which of the following? (Select all that apply. )

A)Slurs his speech when answering questions.
B)Has difficulty remembering his address.
C)Reports seeing snakes in the corner of the room.
D)Documents his blood pressure as 168/90.
E)Experiences difficulty when walking to the bathroom.

Question 20

The nurse is preparing to apply a topical cream on the arm of a cognitively impaired,anorexic older adult patient in the terminal stage of lung cancer.The nurse carefully monitors the effectiveness of the medication because its effectiveness will be most negatively impacted by the patient's

A)age.
B)cognitive limitations.
C)nutritional status.
D)cancer diagnosis.