A nurse formulates nursing diagnoses for an older adult who takes 12 prescription drugs daily. The nurse designates "Risk for falls" as the priority diagnosis because risk for falls is related to
a. age-related mobility issues, not necessarily the drugs being taken.
b. inappropriate use of prescription drugs.
c. potential drug interactions and toxicity.
d. rapid drug excretion.
ANS: C
Adverse drug reactions are seven times more common in the elderly than in younger adults and may contribute to an increased risk for drug interactions, toxicity, and falls.
Mobility may decline in the elderly, increasing the risk for falls; however, this option ignores the link between falls and medication use in the elderly.
Inappropriate use of prescription drugs is a concern, but it is not the best reasoning for an increased risk for falls in the elderly.
Rapid drug excretion should not contribute to an increased risk for falls in the elderly.
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