Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults Flashcards - Quizlet

11/10/2020 Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults Flashcards | Quizlet
Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults

Leave the first rating
STUDY
Flashcards
Learn
Write
Spell
Test
Play
Match
Gravity
Created by
ashleyadennis
https://quizlet.com/274833058/chapter-7-medications-and-older-adults-flash-cards/ 1/16
Key concepts:
Many Older Adults Adverse Drug Reactions Total Body Water
Terms in this set (65)
adverse drug reactions ADR. problems related to medications that can alter
an older adult's ability to perform normal functions.
14 or more on average, how many prescription medications do

people over 65 years of age take daily?
geropharmacology the study of how older adults respond to medication.

a new but growing area.
pharmacokinetics the study of drug actions within the body, including

absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
first pass effect a phase of drug absorption that is altered in the older
adult. oral medications take a go through the liver
before entering the systemic circulation, greatly
reducing the drug concentration.
an increased gastric pH and what happens as gastric acid secretion decreases as
reduced drug absorption we age?
alter the distribution of with aging, there is typically a decrease in total body
medications because there is mass, lean body mass, and total body water and
less total body water, water- increase in body fat. what does this do? and why?
soluble drugs (gentamicin,
histamine-receptor blockers,
and lithium) tend to remain in
higher concentrations in the
bloodstream.
fat-soluble drugs what happens as muscle mass decreases and the

(phenobarbital and the percentage of adipose tissue increases?
benzodiazepines) become
trapped in the fatty tissue,
resulting in abnormally low
blood levels
liver the primary site of drug metabolism
reduce blood flow to the liver aging often results in decreased activity of liver cells,
decreased metabolic enzymes, and decreased
cardiac output. what do these changes do?
more drugs remain in the as the kidneys become less effective in the excretion
circulation, leading to elevated of drugs, in part because of reduced renal perfusion,
drug levels and symptoms of what happens?

drug toxicity
creatinine tests provide a more effective measure of kidney function

when the risks for toxicity are assessed
polypharmacy the prescription, administration, or use of more

medications than are clinically indicated. is more
common problem in older adults.
there is a greater risk for what happens when more medications are taken
untoward reactions, drug (OTCs, supplements, and herbs)?
interactions, and drug toxicities
cognitively impaired older who should not be responsible for medicating

adults themselves but should be supervised by a family
member or nurse?
vision changes render an older person unable to read a medication

label or to recognize the different sizes, shapes, or
colors of the various medications. serious problems
can arise from this.
by assessing the person' ability how can the risks of vision changes be assessed?
to read labels accurately, by
proper teaching, and by using
special labels or magnifying

devices that facilitate safe
administration
sharing medications with friends what is one common sign of lack of knowledge with
or relatives medications?
because they do not consider why are older adults not likely to consult with a
OTC medications to be "real physician, pharmacist, or nurse regarding their use of
drugs" OTC medications? this can be hazardous to older
adults, particularly those taking prescription
medications.
OTC medications are capable of potentiating or interfering with

prescription medications, possibly resulting in serious
harm. they can also create or mask symptoms of
disease.
alcohol is the most commonly consumed nonprescription

drug used by adults. many older adults do not think
of it as a drug, so they do not consider it when taking
medications. can cause adverse reactions when taken
in conjunction with many prescription and OTC drugs.
to save money why do older adults living on limited incomes fail to
take their medications or make changes in the

amount or frequency to conserve their supply?
because medications are why do many frugal older adults save medications
expensive that were prescribed in the past, even if the drugs are
no longer part of their therapy?
just in case they are needed why are older adults reluctant to discard costly
again medications and hold on to them? this can bring
serious harm if the medications are outdated.
outdated medications can undergo chemical changes that make them

hazardous. increases the risk for problems if the older
person thinks the drug is appropriate and takes it
without checking with the primary care provider.
therapeutic effect of the what information should you have before

medication; reasons the administering a medication?
individual is receiving the
medication; normal therapeutic
dosage of the medication;
normal route or routes of
administration; any special
precautions related to
administration; common side
effects or adverse effects of the
medication; signs of overdose

and toxicity
monitor the older adult what should you do after administration of
continually to determine medications?
whether or not the medication is
having the desired effect.
perform this for scheduled and
as-needed medications. also
observe for any untoward
effects or significant changes in
medical condition or behavior
because normal physiologic why should you be particularly watchful for any signs
changes and the effects of of overdose or toxicity?
disease place the older person
at an increased risk for drug-
related problems
the care plan includes use of safety devices, call signals, behavior
monitoring, or any other specific precaution related
to medications. should indicate when it is necessary
to check vital signs, monitor lab values, or make any
other special observations. should indicate any
individual preferences of the older person.
rights of medication resident, medication, amount, dosage form, route,

time, and documentation
compare the medication with what is the most accurate way to verify identity?
the identification bracelet
start low and go slow how can you achieve the maximal therapeutic
benefits while giving the smallest necessary amount
of medication?
because liquids might be why do all changes in medication form require an

absorbed more rapidly than order?
solids
the tablet or capsule may have what if liquid form is not available?
to be crushed or broken to
facilitate swallowing
note it in the chart and notify what should you do if the person refuses to take his
the nurse in charge, as the or her medication?
primary care provider may need
to be informed in a timely
manner
dryness of the mouth related to often makes swallowing difficult and results in
aging complaints of pills sticking in the throat.
encouraging beverage before what can help the patient swallow tablets more
they try to swallow the tablet or easily?
coating the tablet with a
spoonful of pudding, ice cream,
or applesauce
crushed medications should not be mixed into a serving of food during

mealtime, this is unsafe and often results in a partial
missed dose because the entire serving of food may
not be consumed and also because the nursing
assistant assigned to feed the patient is not qualified
to administer medications.
because large particles can why should you request liquid forms of medication
block the feeding tube. finely for tube feeding and how can you prevent
crush each tablet and then medications from blocking the feeding tube?
place in a plastic medication
cup, where it should be
thoroughly dissolved in a small
amount of warm water
flush the feeding tube with a what should you do before giving the first
small amount of water medication, again after each medication, and once
more before reconnecting the tube with the feeding
solution?
no. NEVER. should you ever mix medications together or with

feeding solutions?
transdermal is becoming an increasingly popular route for drug

administration. uses a "patch" consisting of a center
that contains the medication surrounded by a skin
overlay, which secures the patch to the skin.
because they are easy to apply why are transdermal medications typically readily
and are effective to extended accepted by older adults?
periods of time. it is convenient
and has a high rate of
compliance because it is
painless, tasteless, and
eliminates the need to consider
the timing of application in
relation to meals. an additional
benefit is that drug delivery can
be stopped immediately by
removal of the patch.
because older adults generally why should injection sites be selected carefully?
have less muscle mass and
subcutaneous tissue than do
younger people
needle length choose with caution depending on the injection site
deltoid muscle usually a poor site for all but very infrequent
administrations of very small volumes.
use a shorter-length needle what should you do to avoid striking the bone of an
emaciated older person?
when they medication is actually when do you chart a medication as having been
taken administered?
violating the patients' rights when you do not provide privacy for an older person
during an injection or any procedures, what are you
doing?
to know what medications they what do older adults have the right to do?
are receiving and why they are
receiving them and to refuse to
take mediations
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation OBRA. mandates that nursing home residents be

Act of 1987 "free from physical or chemical restraints imposed for
the purposes of discipline or convenience". residents
should have the option of self-medication if they are
capable of doing so safely (order is required).
because you remain responsible How can self-medication by a resident be time-

for monitoring the resident's consuming?
adherence and response to the
medications.
alcohol and nonsteroidal what do adults living independently need to know?

NSAIDS (ibuprofen) can
increase BP and interfere with
the action of antihypertensive
medications; excessive use of
acetaminophen (Tylenol) can
damage the kidneys. if the
patient uses alcohol heavily, it
can also damage the liver;
antacids do not protect the
stomach from aspirin or
NSAIDS; antacids, calcium
supplements and significant
amounts of dairy products
should be taken at least 2 hours
apart from other meds;
combination of NSAIDS and
angiotensin-converting-enzyme
inhibitors increases the risks for
renal failure, esp. when the
patient is also taking a diuretic.
an up-to-date record that what should each older person who lives
identifies his or her major independently have?
physical problems, their care
provider(s), any allergies, and all
current medications
name of the meds (trade and/or what should be included on medication teaching
generic); time when the med sheets?
should be taken; whether the
med should be taken before
with, or after meals; any
precautions to take with med
prep; how much of the med to
take; the reason why the person
is receiving each med (desired
effects); common side effects;
action to take if side effects
occur; what to do if the person
forgets a dose of the med; what
to do if the person experiences
nausea or vomiting and is
unable to take oral med.
associating medication what can help older adults remember to take their
schedules with regular daily medications?
events such as meal or bedtime
poor lighting can further reduce why should you explain the importance of preparing
vison in older adults and medication in a well-lit area?

increase the chance of a mistake
because visually impaired older why should you ensure that containers are properly
adults can continue to self- labeled?
medicate if measures are taken
to compensate for visual
problems. large, preferably
uppercase or printed lettering
should be used on all labels and
teaching materials.
apply color codes, tape strips, how can you help older adults recognize their
pictures, or textures such as medications?
sandpaper to containers.
because many older adults have why should yellow be avoided in color coding for the
difficulty distinguishing this older adult?
color from others
because impaired physical why should you modify containers for ease of use?
function can interfere with self-
mediations. many pill bottle
routinely come with safety caps
that older adults cannot open.
store containers well away from how can you establish measures to distinguish and
each other and mark clearly separate similar containers?
with a large picture of an eye or
an ear so that they are
distinguishable.
away from direct light and how can you teach an older adult to store
moisture, which can cause medications properly?
chemical changes.
obtain or devise a system to how can you help older adults remember to take
promote adherence. check of their medications?
the medication box. use zip-
closure plastic bags that are
labeled with the appropriate
day and time.
yes! sleepiness can interfere does it matter if the older adult is alert when taking
with the ability to read labels. medications?
they can easily take the wrong
medication. do not keep any
medications particular those
taken to promote sleep, at the
bedside.
THIS SET IS OFTEN SAVED IN THE SAME FOLDER AS...
Chapter 6 - Maintaining Fluid Balance Chapter 8 - Health Assessment of

and Meeting… Older Adults
66 terms 73 terms
ashleyadennis ashleyadennis
Chapter 9 - Meeting Safety Needs of Chapter 2 - Theory of Aging

Older Adults
31 terms
76 terms
ashleyadennis ashleyadennis

Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults Flashcards - Quizlet

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults Flashcards - Quizlet

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

11/10/2020 Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults Flashcards | Quizlet

Chapter 7 - Medications and Older Adults

Many Older Adults Adverse Drug Reactions Total Body Water

Terms in this set (65)

14 or more on average, how many prescription medications do

geropharmacology the study of how older adults respond to medication.

pharmacokinetics the study of drug actions within the body, including

an increased gastric pH and what happens as gastric acid secretion decreases as

reduced drug absorption we age?

fat-soluble drugs what happens as muscle mass decreases and the

liver the primary site of drug metabolism

drug levels and symptoms of what happens?

creatinine tests provide a more effective measure of kidney function

polypharmacy the prescription, administration, or use of more

cognitively impaired older who should not be responsible for medicating

vision changes render an older person unable to read a medication

special labels or magnifying

OTC medications are capable of potentiating or interfering with

alcohol is the most commonly consumed nonprescription

to save money why do older adults living on limited incomes fail to

take their medications or make changes in the

outdated medications can undergo chemical changes that make them

therapeutic effect of the what information should you have before

medication; signs of overdose

rights of medication resident, medication, amount, dosage form, route,

because liquids might be why do all changes in medication form require an

crushed medications should not be mixed into a serving of food during

no. NEVER. should you ever mix medications together or with

transdermal is becoming an increasingly popular route for drug

needle length choose with caution depending on the injection site

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation OBRA. mandates that nursing home residents be

because you remain responsible How can self-medication by a resident be time-

alcohol and nonsteroidal what do adults living independently need to know?

vison in older adults and medication in a well-lit area?

THIS SET IS OFTEN SAVED IN THE SAME FOLDER AS...

Chapter 6 - Maintaining Fluid Balance Chapter 8 - Health Assessment of

Chapter 9 - Meeting Safety Needs of Chapter 2 - Theory of Aging

You might also like