The elderly client states that they have routinely consumed at least 3–4 beverages containing alcohol daily for the past 15 years. The nurse recognizes that this client is at greatest risk for:
1. Obesity and excess weight gain.
2. Chronic disease.
3. Increase in negative side effects.
4. Decrease interaction between alcohol and medications
3
Rationale: 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 metabolisms. This enzyme alteration can lead to increased blood alcohol levels when coupled with the decreased total body water associated with aging which leads to mirrored 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.
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