Deck 3: Lifespan Considerations

Question 1

Which statements are true regarding the elderly and pharmacokinetics?

A) The levels of microsomal enzymes are decreased.
B) Fat content is increased because of decreased lean body mass.
C) Fat content is decreased because of increased lean body mass.
D) The number of intact nephrons is increased.
E) The number of intact nephrons is decreased.
F) Gastric pH is less acidic.
G) Gastric pH is more acidic.

Answer 1

The levels of microsomal enzymes are decreased.
Fat content is increased because of decreased lean body mass.
The number of intact nephrons is decreased.
Gastric pH is less acidic.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to give an injection to a 4-year-old child. Which intervention is age appropriate for this child?

A) Give the injection without any advanced preparation.
B) Give the injection, and then explain the reason for the procedure afterward.
C) Offer a brief, concrete explanation of the procedure at the patient's level and with the parent or caregiver present.
D) Prepare the child in advance with details about the procedure without the parent or caregiver present.

Answer 2

Offer a brief, concrete explanation of the procedure at the patient's level and with the parent or caregiver present.

Question 3

The nurse recognizes that an elderly patient may experience a reduction in the stomach's ability to produce hydrochloric acid. This change may result in which effect?

A) Delayed gastric emptying
B) Increased gastric acidity
C) Decreased intestinal absorption of medications
D) Altered absorption of some drugs

Answer 3

Altered absorption of some drugs

Question 4

The nurse is administering drugs to neonates and will consider which factor may contribute the most to drug toxicity?

A) The lungs are immature.
B) The kidneys are small.
C) The liver is not fully developed.
D) Excretion of the drug occurs quickly.

Question 5

Drug transfer to the fetus is more likely during the last trimester of pregnancy for which reason?

A) Decreased fetal surface area
B) Increased placental surface area
C) Enhanced blood flow to the fetus
D) Increased amount of protein-bound drug in maternal circulation

Question 6

The nurse is trying to give a liquid medication to a -year-old child and notes that the medication has a strong taste. Which technique is the best way for the nurse to give the medication to this child?

A) Give the medication with a spoonful of ice cream.
B) Add the medication to the child's bottle.
C) Tell the child you have candy for him.
D) Add the medication to a cup of milk.

Question 7

A 7-year-old child will be receiving amoxicillin (Amoxil) 50 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. The child weighs 55 pounds. The medication, once reconstituted, is available as an oral suspension of 125 mg/5 mL. Identify how many milliliters will the child receive per dose. _______

Question 8

The nurse is aware that confusion, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls are common responses in an elderly patient who is taking which type of drug?

A) Laxatives
B) Anticoagulants
C) Sedatives
D) Antidepressants

Question 9

The nurse is assessing a newly admitted 83-year-old patient and determines that the patient is experiencing polypharmacy. Which statement most accurately illustrates polypharmacy?

A) The patient is experiencing multiple illnesses.
B) The patient uses one medication for an illness several times per day.
C) The patient uses over-the-counter drugs for an illness.
D) The patient uses multiple medications simultaneously.

Question 10

An elderly patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension will be receiving a new prescription for an antihypertensive drug. The nurse expects which type of dosing to occur with this drug therapy?

A) Drug therapy will be based on the patient's weight.
B) Drug therapy will be based on the patient's age.
C) The patient will receive the maximum dose that is expected to reduce the blood pressure.
D) The patient will receive the lowest possible dose at first, and then the dose will be increased as needed.

Question 11

When discussing dosage calculation for pediatric patients with a clinical pharmacist, the nurse notes that which type of dosage calculation is used most commonly in pediatric calculations?

A) West nomogram
B) Clark rule
C) Height-to-weight ratio
D) Milligram per kilogram of body weight formula

Question 12

An 83-year-old woman has been given a thiazide diuretic to treat heart failure. She and her daughter should be told to watch for which problems?

A) Constipation and anorexia
B) Fatigue, leg cramps, and dehydration
C) Daytime sedation and lethargy
D) Edema, nausea, and blurred vision

Question 13

The nurse is monitoring a patient who is in the 26th week of pregnancy and has developed gestational diabetes and pneumonia. She is given medications that pose a possible fetal risk, but the potential benefits may warrant the use of the medications in her situation. The nurse recognizes that these medications are in which U.S. Food and Drug Administration pregnancy safety category?

A) Category X
B) Category B
C) Category C
D) Category D

Question 14

For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the nurse must take into account which criteria?

A) Organ maturity
B) Renal output
C) Body temperature
D) Height

Question 15

Which statements are true regarding pediatric patients and pharmacokinetics?

A) The levels of microsomal enzymes are decreased.
B) Perfusion to the kidneys may be decreased and may result in reduced renal function.
C) First-pass elimination is increased because of higher portal circulation.
D) First-pass elimination is reduced because of the immaturity of the liver.
E) Total body water content is much less than in adults.
F) Gastric emptying is slowed because of slow or irregular peristalsis.
G) Gastric emptying is more rapid because of increased peristaltic activity.