Safe Medication Use
This evidence-based tool helps nurses identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults.
What is the Beers Criteria?
This dietary component, along with hydration, helps prevent constipation.
What is fiber?
This concept refers to a personal search for meaning and purpose, which may or may not involve organized religion.
What is spirituality?
True or False: Pain is a normal part of aging and should be expected.
What is false?
When adult children begin making decisions for aging parents, this dynamic often emerges.
What is role reversal?
Nurses should assess this frequency to determine normal bowel function.
What is bowel movement frequency/pattern?
This term refers to the time it takes for half of a drug to be eliminated from the body.
What is drug half-life?
A 6% unintentional weight loss in one month signals this clinical concern.
What is malnutrition?
This professional may be consulted to support a patient’s spiritual needs in a hospital setting.
What is a chaplain?
True or False: Pain is a normal part of aging and should be expected.
What is false?
Grandparents raising grandchildren without parental involvement represent this type of family.
What is a skipped-generation family?
Overuse of this type of medication may lead to dependency and electrolyte imbalance.
What are stimulant laxatives?
Reduced renal function in older adults primarily affects this phase of pharmacokinetics.
What is age related changes.
This simple physical sign may indicate dehydration in older adults.
What is skin turgor?
A patient says, “I’m not sure if God exists.” The nurse should document this belief system as this.
What is agnostic?
Burning, tingling, and shooting are common descriptors of this type of pain.
What is neuropathic pain?
A middle-aged adult caring for aging parents while supporting children is part of this generational group.
What is the sandwich generation?
Arthritis may impair this daily self-care activity essential for digestion and infection prevention
What is oral hygiene / tooth brushing?
Benzodiazepines and anticholinergics are considered high-risk for older adults due to this common side effect.
What is increased fall risk and/or confusion.
Thickened liquids and upright positioning are key interventions for this condition.
What is dysphagia?
This term describes a structured system of beliefs, rituals, and worship shared by a group.
What is religion?
Massage, music therapy, and guided imagery are examples of this type of pain intervention.
What are complementary therapies?
A family member who disrupts harmony and resists caregiving responsibilities, often seen as the "scapegoat" may be described using this role.
What is the deviant role?
Ill-fitting dentures can lead to this complication, affecting nutrition and comfort.
What are causes for oral ulceration or poor food intake?
True or False: Mental dysfunction is considered an adverse drug reaction in older adults.
What is true.
Low intake of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3s may increase this long-term risk.
What is cognitive impairment?
The nurse’s role in spiritual care includes this key action.
What is active listening and/or presence?
When assessing pain in older adults from diverse backgrounds, nurses must first do this.
What is assessing the cultural beliefs and expressions of pain?
This document allows a family caregiver to make healthcare decisions for an older adult.
What is a durable power of attorney?
Poor dentition can impair this first phase of digestion.
What is mastication / chewing?