Question

The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for hepatic side effects. Which action is most important when prescribing this medication to an 80-year-old patient?

1) Obtain pretreatment laboratory work.
2) Ensure that the drug is given in the correct dose at the correct time to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
3) Discontinue the order; the drug is contraindicated for this patient.
4) Give the medication intravenously so that the drug does not pass through the liver.

Answer 1

The most important action is to obtain pretreatment laboratory work to assess liver function and guide dosing decisions, thereby minimizing the risk of hepatic side effects in an older adult patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important action when prescribing medication to an 80-year-old patient who is at increased risk for hepatic side effects would be to obtain pretreatment laboratory work. This will help assess the patient’s liver function and identify any potential risks for side effects or toxicity.

Older adults often have decreased liver function, which can affect the metabolism and clearance of drugs from the body. This decreased metabolic function can lead to increased drug levels, potentially resulting in toxicity and side effects. By obtaining pretreatment laboratory work, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about dosage adjustments or the need for alternative medications that are safer for the patient.

Additionally, ongoing monitoring is crucial to ensure that drug levels remain in the therapeutic range without causing harm. Route of administration should also be considered, but giving the medication intravenously does not ensure that the drug will bypass hepatic metabolism as the liver is involved in metabolizing drugs even after IV administration. Therefore, it is generally not correct to say that administering drugs intravenously will prevent hepatic side effects in elderly patients.