Asked by Rijul Tuteja on Jun 12, 2024
Verified
The nurse knows to assess for signs of medication toxicity within older persons because of which physiological change?
A) Reduced blood albumin level.
B) Delayed esophageal clearance.
C) Decreased gastric peristalsis.
D) Decreased cognitive function.
Medication Toxicity
Refers to the harmful effects experienced when a medication is taken in excessive doses or when the body cannot properly metabolize it.
Reduced Blood Albumin
A medical condition where there is a lower than normal level of albumin in the blood, potentially indicative of liver or kidney disease, or malnutrition.
Esophageal Clearance
The process of removing food, liquid, or secretions from the esophagus to prevent aspiration and facilitate digestion.
- Apply the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the care of older adults.
Verified Answer
DS
Devin Stokes-HowellJun 12, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
The degree to which medications bind to serum proteins,such as albumin,affects the medication's distribution.Medications bound to albumin cannot exert pharmacological activity.The unbound,or free,medication is the active form of the medication.Older persons have a decrease in albumin in the bloodstream,which is probably the result of a change in liver function.The same is true for patients who have liver disease or malnutrition,who,along with older persons,have the potential for more medication to be unbound and thus may be at risk for an increase in medication activity or toxicity,or both.
Learning Objectives
- Apply the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the care of older adults.