Deck 22: Pharmacologic Management

Question 1

To minimize the possible complications of polypharmacy among older adult clients, 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

Answer 1

Number of physicians providing medical care
Location of pharmacies where prescriptions are filled
Presence of chronic illnesses
Use of over-the-counter medication to self-medicate

Question 2

An older adult client has been ordered to receive the drug warfarin (Coumadin).The nurse's primary intervention involves monitoring the client for drug toxicity by daily review of his:

A)prothrombin time.
B)body for bruising.
C)serum creatinine level.
D)reflex tone.

Answer 2

prothrombin time.

Question 3

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

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?"

Answer 3

"Do you regularly take any dietary supplements?"

Question 4

A 65-year-old client is receiving propranolol (Inderal) for hypertension.Which outcome is the best indicator of goal success when considering the drug's potential effect on the client's quality of life?

A)The client verbalizes the importance of moderate exercise and a low-sodium diet.
B)The client experiences no injuries as a result of dizziness.
C)The client maintains his blood pressure within normal limits.
D)The client describes symptoms indicative of an adverse drug reaction.

Question 5

When administering medications to older adults, the nurse shows an understanding of the effect of aging on drug distribution by monitoring the client's:

A)cardiac function.
B)liver function.
C)red blood cell count.
D)plasma albumin levels.

Question 6

A 72-year-old client with a history of diabetes and hypothyroidism is being admitted to an assisted living facility.During the admission assessment the client reports difficulty falling asleep.The nurse shows an understanding of sleep dysfunction and the older client when asking:

A)"Have you ever been prescribed a sleeping 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 7

An older adult client is having difficulty remembering when to take several of her prescribed medications.To improve the client's compliance with her medication, regimen the nurse:

A)asks the client's husband to consistently administer the drugs.
B)checks the drug guide to see if decreasing their frequency is possible.
C)informs the client's physician about the drug noncompliance.
D)teaches the client to administer daily pills with a pill dispenser.

Question 8

An older adult diabetic client is mildly hypertensive.The nurse prepares to educate the client regarding angiotensin II-blocking agents since these drugs are especially useful in older adults because they:

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 9

The nurse responsible for administering medications to the residence of a long-term care facility shows an understanding of the risk of injury this population experiences when:

A)confirming the client's identity prior to providing the medication.
B)assessing the client for a history of drug related allergies.
C)implementing the 5 Rights of medication administration routinely.
D)educating the client to the purpose and side efforts of their medications.

Question 10

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

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