A member of an older patient's family asks the nurse why medications are ordered at half of the usual dose. Which of the following is the most appropriate response?
a. "Medications for the older adult are prescribed at a pediatric dose."
b. "The metabolism of the older adult is much like that of a child of the same weight."
c. "Medications for the older adult are sometimes at lower doses initially until the patient's response is evaluated."
d. "Older adults generally take a lower dose of a medication because of cost."
C
Age-related changes alter the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs. Older adults do not metabolize medications at the same rates as children and younger adults. There is a decrease in liver and hepatic mass as well as blood flow that alters drug metabolism and clearance. The most appropriate response is that medications for older adults may be started at a lower dose initially until their response to the drug is evaluated. The dosage will then be adjusted accordingly. The responses in options "a," "b," and "d" are inappropriate.
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