Final answer:
The statement is true; older adults experience increased complications from adverse drug events in the hospital due to changes in their body's ability to process medications and an increased likelihood of multiple health conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that adverse drug events in the older adult often result in increased complications while in the hospital is true. As individuals age, their physiology changes, which can affect pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, leading to an increased risk of adverse effects and drug interactions. For example, altered organ function can impair drug metabolism and excretion, making older adults more susceptible to toxicity.
Additionally, the presence of multiple chronic conditions and the use of multiple medications, known as polypharmacy, increase the risk of adverse drug events in older adults. The immune system also changes with age, which can affect the body's response to drugs such as antibiotics and potentially increase the risk of resistance. Lastly, translocation mutations can occur more frequently in older adults, contributing to increased susceptibility to certain diseases and possible adverse drug events.