Deck 20: Pharmacology

Question 1

The nurse notes that the health-care provider increased the dosage of aspirin prescribed for an older patient. What is the reason for this dosage to be increased?
1) Leaner overall body mass
2) Increased amount of fat tissue
3) Decreased secretion of stomach acid
4) Increased amount of lean muscle tissue

Answer 1

3

Question 2

An older patient is waiting for a delivery of medication that was purchased through the Internet from Canada. What should the nurse say after learning this information?
1) Nothing. This is an acceptable practice.
2) "You should order medications from Mexico the next time."
3) "Take half the prescribed dose because the dosages are different."
4) "Find out if the dosages are equivalent before taking the medication."

Answer 2

4

Question 3

The nurse learns that an older patient has been taking a double dose of diuretics and sleeping pills. What could be the reason for this patient to overuse these medications?
1) Generic labeling
2) Poor physical health
3) Decreased cognitive ability
4) Complexity of the medication regimen

Answer 3

2

Question 4

The nurse is making a visit to the home of an older patient. Which action indicates that the nurse is implementing Beers criteria?
1) Removing unnecessary medications
2) Reviewing anticipated effects of medications
3) Instructing on the use of prescribed medications
4) Counseling when to report adverse effects of medications

Question 5

An older patient has a history of chronic alcohol abuse. Which statement best describes this patient's physical status?
1) Inappropriate weight gain
2) Intact cognition and problem-solving ability
3) Altered acid-base, fluid, and electrolyte statuses
4) Inability to participate in any physical exercise program

Question 6

An older patient is complaining of an upset stomach caused by new medications. The prescription reads, "Must be taken on an empty stomach." What should the nurse recommend to this patient?
1) Stop taking the medication.
2) Drink 8 ounces of milk with each dose.
3) Drink a minimum of 8 ounces of water with each dose.
4) Take it with a sip of water and the stomach upset will go away.

Question 7

During an assessment the nurse learns that an older patient is taking furosemide and Lasix every morning. What should the nurse suspect as the potential reason for this overuse of the diuretic?
1) Patient is confused
2) Patient has financial issues
3) Patient has severe heart failure
4) Patient had the prescriptions filled at different pharmacies

Question 8

The nurse is reviewing an older patient's medications for adherence with Beers criteria. What should the nurse analyze each medication for? Select all that apply.
1) Medications that should be taken with food
2) Medications to be used with caution in older adults
3) Medications that should be stored away from heat and humidity
4) Potentially inappropriate medications and classes to avoid in older adults
5) Potentially inappropriate medications and classes to avoid in older adults with certain diseases and syndromes that the drugs listed can exacerbate

Question 9

An older patient has poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. What should the nurse consider when providing this patient with routinely prescribed medications?
1) The patient will develop diarrhea.
2) Additional medication will be required.
3) The concentration of the medication may increase.
4) The medication should be provided with minimal water.

Question 10

An older patient does not have a good reminder system for when medications have already been taken. Which would be the most desirable method for this patient to use?
1) A medication box
2) A checklist or calendar
3) Color coding the medication bottles
4) Turning the medication bottle upside down after taking the medication

Question 11

An older patient is prescribed a medication dose that is half the usually prescribed strength. What should the nurse realize as being the reason for this decrease in dosage?
1) Alteration in gastric pH
2) Decline in overall metabolism
3) Increase in gastric acid production
4) Renal clearance changes with aging

Question 12

An older patient is prescribed several medications to be taken throughout the day. What could improve this patient's compliance with taking the medications?
1) Place all medications in the bedroom.
2) Keep all medications on the kitchen counter
3) Associate the medications to be taken with an activity.
4) Set alarms for when medication is supposed to be taken.

Question 13

An older patient stopped taking prescribed antihypertensive medications because it caused constipation. How should the nurse respond to this patient?
1) "You know that you have to take the blood pressure medicine no matter how you feel."
2) "Constipation is a problem with that medication. What did you try to help relieve the constipation while you were taking is?"
3) "I told you that you could get a little constipated. You can't quit taking a blood pressure medication without first telling the doctor."
4) "There are many different kinds of blood pressure medicines. You could have just called the office and we would have called in a prescription for something else."

Question 14

An older patient has several outdated prescriptions that need to be discarded. What should the nurse do to help safely remove these medications from the patient's home?
1) Flush them down the commode.
2) Place the medications in the trash.
3) Take them to a drug disposal station.
4) Dilute them with water before rinsing down the drain.