Pharmacology
This age-related change in body composition increases the risk of drug toxicity in older adults due to decreased renal clearance.
What is decreased kidney function
This age-related change causes decreased drug metabolism, leading to a higher risk for toxicity in older adults.
What is decreased liver function.
This common postoperative complication in older adults may mimic dementia but is actually acute and reversible if treated promptly.
What is delirium.
Associated with cardiac dysrhythmias.
What is potassium.
During a musculoskeletal assessment, an older adult reports morning stiffness and decreased range of motion. The nurse recognizes this as a likely sign of what age-related condition?
What is osteoarthritis.
Older adults are more sensitive to this class of medications that can cause confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention.
What are anticholinergics.
This screening test is recommended every 10 years beginning at age 45 for the early detection of colorectal cancer.
What is a colonoscopy
The nurse knows that this type of cancer surgery is performed to determine the extent or stage of the disease.
What is diagnostic or staging surgery.
This lab test often decreases with age, leading to potential misdiagnosis of anemia if not interpreted carefully in older adults.
What is hemoglobin.
In assessing the cardiovascular system of an older adult, this common finding occurs due to decreased elasticity of blood vessels.
What is increased blood pressure.
This term describes the use of multiple medications by a patient, often leading to increased risk of adverse effects and drug interactions.
What is polypharmacy.
This is the most critical lab value to monitor before administering chemotherapy to a patient.
What is white blood cell count.
A deficiency in this nutrient is especially concerning in older surgical patients because it impairs wound healing and immune response.
What is protein.
Low levels of this plasma protein may indicate poor nutritional status or liver dysfunction in older adults undergoing chemotherapy.
What is albumin.
This nursing intervention supports coping and quality of life for older adults adjusting to a cancer diagnosis.
What is emotional support and participation in decision making.
Due to age-related changes in this organ, many older adults metabolize drugs more slowly.
What is the liver
This is the most common cause of injury and hospitalization among older adults living at home.
What are falls.
This physiological change in older adults can alter the way chemotherapy drugs are metabolized and excreted, requiring close monitoring of lab values.
What is decreased renal and hepatic function.
This lab value often decreases as a side effect of chemotherapy, increasing infection risk in older adults.
What is white blood cell count.
“This modifiable lifestyle factor is the leading preventable cause of cancer in older adults.”
What is smoking.
This kidney function parameter often declines with age and must be monitored to prevent drug accumulation.
What is creatinine clearance.
This reversible condition, often mistaken for dementia, can occur suddenly in hospitalized older adults and is characterized by acute confusion and fluctuating consciousness.
What is delirium.
Early ambulation after surgery helps prevent these two major complications in older adults.
This lab value helps assess protein stores and nutritional status in older cancer patients, as poor nutrition can impair healing and immune response.
What is serum albumin.
This is the most common type of cancer found in adults over age 65.
What is skin cancer.