Question

A nurse is caring for a 77-year-old patient. The nurse plans care for this patient based on the knowledge that the aging process impacts drug therapy in what important way?

Select one:
a. Blood volume decreases
b. Subcutaneous tissue increases
c. Serum protein increases
d. Muscle mass increases

Answer 1

In the aging process, muscle mass decreases, which is relevant to drug therapy as this can impact drug distribution and metabolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a 77-year-old patient should plan care based on the knowledge that during the aging process, muscle mass decreases. This change in body composition affects various aspects of drug therapy, influencing how drugs are distributed and metabolized in the body. As individuals age, there's a decline in many physiological functions, including a reduction in serum protein levels which can impact drug-binding capabilities, and reduced muscle mass which may change the volume of distribution for drugs that are distributed in the lean body mass. More specifically, many drugs bind to serum albumin, and changes in albumin levels could affect this binding and, consequently, the drug's effectiveness.