A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about administering medications to older adult patients. Which statement by a student indicates a need for further teaching?

Question

a. "Alteration in hepatic function requires more frequent drug dosing."
b. "Changes in GI function in older adult patients lead to lower serum drug levels."
c. "Most adverse drug reactions in older adult patients are related to altered renal function."
d. "Most nonadherence among older adult patients is intentional."

Answer 1

A
Changes in hepatic function in older adult patients lead to decreased metabolism, meaning that drugs metabolized by the liver have prolonged half-lives and should be given less frequently. Altered GI function does not have much effect in this population, but most known effects from this cause are related to poor absorption and less available drug. Alterations in renal function are the cause of most adverse drug effects in the older adult. In most cases, nonadherence to drug regimens is intentional, usually because the patient doesn't believe that the drug is needed or that the dose prescribed is not necessary.