Question

When administering drugs to older adults, what factors should the nurse consider?

A) Older adults usually require higher drug doses due to decreased metabolism.
B) Aging has no impact on drug absorption, distribution, or elimination.
C) Older adults are less likely to experience drug interactions.
D) Age-related changes can affect drug absorption, metabolism, and elimination.

Answer 1

Age-related changes can affect drug pharmacokinetics in older adults, resulting in the need for dosage adjustments to avoid toxicity due to decreased metabolism and renal function. Nurses should consider these changes, the risk of DDIs, and individual genetic factors when administering medication to elderly patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering drugs to older adults, the nurse should consider that age-related changes can affect drug absorption, metabolism, and elimination (D). As individuals age, their physiological processes change, which can impact the pharmacokinetics like the speed of drug metabolism and the efficiency of drug excretion. Aging may lead to decreased metabolism and decreased renal function, which means that drug levels can remain in the body for a longer period and may lead to toxicity. Therefore, older adults often require cautiously adjusted drug doses, taking into account these changes in metabolism and elimination. Nurses should be aware of potential drug interactions, as older patients might be taking multiple medications. Additionally, factors such as drug half-life, drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and genetic characteristics can influence the appropriate dose and frequency of administration for older adults.