A gerontological nurse is aware that older adults' abilities to excrete medications diminish with age. When appraising an older adult's ability to excrete medications, what laboratory or diagnostic finding should the nurse prioritize?
A) Renal ultrasound
B) Complete blood count (CBC)
C) Serum bilirubin and albumin levels
D) Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels
D
Feedback:
The nurse should assess an older adult's blood urea nitrogen and creatinine clearance (CrCl) levels to determine the patient's ability to excrete the medications. Renal ultrasound identifies structural abnormalities in the kidneys but is less useful in diagnosing function. The patient's CBC and bilirubin and albumin levels do not help the nurse assess the patient's ability to excrete medications.
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