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The nurse is aware that confusion, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls are common responses in an elderly patient who is taking which type of drug?
- A. Laxatives
- B. Anticoagulants
- C. Sedatives
- D. Antidepressants
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sedatives and hypnotics often cause confusion, daytime sedation, ataxia, lethargy, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls in the elderly. Laxatives, anticoagulants, and antidepressants may cause other adverse effects, but not the specific ones mentioned.
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The nurse is trying to give a liquid medication to a 2 1/2-year-old child and notes that the medication has a strong taste. Which technique is the best way for the nurse to give the medication to this child?
- A. Give the medication with a spoonful of ice cream.
- B. Add the medication to the child's bottle.
- C. Tell the child you have candy for him.
- D. Add the medication to a cup of milk.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ice cream or another nonessential food disguises the taste of the medication. Adding to a bottle or milk risks incomplete dosing if not fully consumed, and using the word 'candy' may lead to confusion, as the child might think drugs are candy.
For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the nurse must consider which of these factors?
- A. Organ maturity
- B. Renal output
- C. Body temperature
- D. Height
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To administer medications to pediatric patients accurately, one must take into account organ maturity, body surface area, age, and weight. Renal output, body temperature, and height alone are not primary considerations for accurate medication administration.
The nurse recognizes that an elderly patient may experience a reduction in the stomach's ability to produce hydrochloric acid. This change may result in which effect?
- A. Delayed gastric emptying
- B. Increased gastric acidity
- C. Decreased gastrointestinal motility
- D. Altered absorption of some drugs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reduction in the stomach's ability to produce hydrochloric acid is an aging-related change that results in a decrease in gastric acidity and may alter the absorption of some drugs. It does not directly cause delayed gastric emptying, increased gastric acidity, or decreased gastrointestinal motility.
An elderly patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension will be receiving a new prescription for an antihypertensive drug. The nurse expects which type of dosing to occur with this drug therapy?
- A. Drug therapy will be based on the patient's weight.
- B. Drug therapy will be based on the patient's age.
- C. The patient will receive the maximum dose that is expected to reduce the blood pressure.
- D. The patient will receive the lowest possible dose at first, and then the dose will be increased as needed.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: As a general rule, dosing for elderly patients should follow the principle of 'start low, and go slow,' meaning start with the lowest possible dose and increase slowly if needed, based on patient response. Dosing is not primarily based on weight or age, and maximum doses are not initially given.
An 83-year-old woman has been given a thiazide diuretic to treat heart failure. She and her caregiver should be told to watch for which problems?
- A. Constipation and anorexia
- B. Fatigue, leg cramps, and dehydration
- C. Daytime sedation and lethargy
- D. Edema, nausea, and blurred vision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electrolyte imbalance, leg cramps, fatigue, and dehydration are common complications when thiazide diuretics are given to elderly patients. The other options do not describe typical complications associated with thiazide diuretics in the elderly.