The nurse is not surprised when a health care provider orders a lower than normal dose of a drug excreted by the kidneys for an older adult client because certain effects of aging cause the body to retain drugs and other substances for longer periods
Which normal effects of the aging process decrease the ability to excrete drugs?
1. Decrease in renal blood flow.
2. Decrease in the number of functioning nephrons.
3. Decrease in the ability to excrete waste products effectively.
4. Decrease in gastric pH, causing delayed absorption.
5. Decrease of fat storage, causing delayed absorption.
Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Older adults have a decrease in blood flow to kidneys. This may affect excretion of drugs.
Rationale 2: Older adults have a decreased number of nephrons resulting in a decreased number of functioning nephrons. This may affect excretion of drugs.
Rationale 3: Because of age-related changes to the kidneys, the older adult may have difficulty excreting waste products, which may affect excretion of drugs.
Rationale 4: Delayed absorption does not affect the excretion of drugs.
Rationale 5: The elderly have an increase in fat storage, but that does not affect the excretion of drugs.
Global Rationale: Older adults have a decrease in blood flow to kidneys, a decreased number of nephrons resulting in a decreased number of functioning nephrons, and may have difficulty excreting waste products. All of these factors may affect excretion of drugs. Delayed absorption does not affect the excretion of drugs. The elderly have an increase in fat storage, but that does not affect the excretion of drugs.
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