An older client reports consuming at least 3 - 4 alcoholic beverages a day for the past 15 years. For which health problem is this client at the greatest risk for developing?
a. Obesity
b. Chronic disease
c. Increase in negative side effects
d. Decrease interaction between alcohol and medications
c. Increase in negative side effects
When alcohol is consumed in excess by the elderly client there is an increase in the bioavailability of alcohol related to the age-related change in alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism. This enzyme alteration can lead to increased blood alcohol levels when coupled with the decreased total body water associated with aging which leads to negative side effects. Weight gain can be a consequence of excess alcohol consumption, but if alcohol is substituted for food, nutritional health can become compromised. Although alcohol abuse can contribute to chronic diseases, alcohol-related problems in the elderly often go unrecognized and can contribute to misdiagnosis and treatment of many chronic diseases. With excess alcohol consumption, interactions between alcohol and medications are more likely.
You might also like to view...
During an examination of a patient's abdomen, the nurse notes that the abdomen is rounded and firm to the touch. During percussion, the nurse notes a drumlike quality of the sounds across the quadrants. This type of sound indicates:
a. Constipation. b. Air-filled areas. c. Presence of a tumor. d. Presence of dense organs.
The nurse is caring for a client who is about to be discharged from the hospital. The client asks the nurse for suggestions on how to improve the quality of sleep in order to wake feeling refreshed in the morning
After reviewing the client's medical history, which suggestions by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply. A) Limiting the use of alcohol to early in the evening B) Having a cup of tea before bed in order to enhance relaxation C) Adjusting the room temperature to a comfortable level for sleep D) Changing the time of aerobic exercise to 1 hour prior to sleep E) Limiting cigarette smoking before bedtime
Successful completion of a life review, a key developmental task of adults in late adulthood (70 years to death), results in
a. acceptance of one's life choices, successes, and failures. b. a sense of hopelessness. c. fear of death. d. signs and symptoms of depression.
The nurse is assessing a patient suspected of having developed acute glomerulonephritis. The nurse should expect to address what clinical manifestation that is characteristic of this health problem?
A) Hematuria B) Precipitous decrease in serum creatinine levels C) Hypotension unresolved by fluid administration D) Glucosuria