Question

Which physiological change affecting the metabolism of medication would the nurse be aware of in geriatric patients? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.

1 Reduced liver function
2 Reduced absorptive capacity
3 Reduced functioning of brain receptors
4 Shortening of half-life of drugs excreted through the kidneys
5 Reduced function of the immune system

Answer 1

Geriatric patients commonly experience reduced liver function, reduced absorptive capacity, and a slowed excretion rate of drugs due to reduced kidney function, which affect the metabolism of medications.

Step-by-step explanation:

In geriatric patients, nurses must be aware of physiological changes that can affect the metabolism of medication. These changes include:

• Reduced liver function: The liver metabolizes drugs, and reduced function can lead to a longer time for medications to be broken down and eliminated from the body.
• Reduced absorptive capacity: Aging can reduce the efficiency of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to decreased absorption of medications.
• Reduced functioning of brain receptors: This can alter the sensitivity to drugs affecting the central nervous system.
• Shortening of half-life of drugs excreted through the kidneys: Kidney function often declines with age, which can increase the half-life of medications cleared by the kidneys, potentially leading to accumulation and toxicity.
• Reduced function of the immune system: Although this does not directly affect drug metabolism, it can influence the overall health status and drug response in elderly patients.

Therefore, the physiological changes that would affect metabolism of medication in geriatric patients are reduced liver function, reduced absorptive capacity, and shortening of half-life for drugs excreted through the kidneys.