Grandma said WHAT?
This age officially defines an older adult.
What is 65 years old or older?
This organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism.
What is the liver?
These criteria identify medications that may be inappropriate for older adults.
What are the Beers Criteria?
Taking five or more medications is called this.
What is polypharmacy?
Patients may have to choose between paying for medications or paying for these two necessities.
What are food and utilities?
This natural process begins at birth and continues throughout life.
What is aging?
These four processes make up pharmacokinetics.
What are Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion?
This common antihistamine is on the Beers list because it causes confusion and falls.
What is diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
Name the main reason patients stop taking blood pressure medications.
What is they feel fine because hypertension is often asymptomatic?
Before giving medications to an older adult, nurses should always assess these two organs.
What are the kidneys and liver?
This is the leading cause of death among adults.
What is cardiovascular disease?
This organ is primarily responsible for drug excretion.
What are the kidneys?
These anti-anxiety medications increase fall risk in older adults.
What are benzodiazepines?
Give two ways nurses can improve medication adherence.
The phrase "Start low and go slow" refers to this nursing principle.
What is starting medications at low doses and increasing slowly?
Adults are considered to be what age range?
What is 19–64 years old?
Older adults have less of this, causing water-soluble drugs to become more concentrated.
What is total body water?
Name three adverse drug reactions commonly seen in older adults.
A medication causes sedation, confusion, and urinary retention in an older adult. Which common over-the-counter medication fits this description?
What is diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
Name three things nurses should teach patients about medications.
Examples:
Name two reasons older adults consume more healthcare than younger adults.
Because body fat increases with age, these drugs stay in the body longer.
What are fat-soluble drugs?
These are important labs that assess kidney function:
What are:
An older adult takes a medication that is eliminated by the kidneys. What laboratory value should the nurse closely monitor to determine if the drug is being cleared appropriately?
What is creatinine clearance (or eGFR)?
This nursing activity involves reviewing all prescription, OTC, and herbal medications to reduce errors.
What is medication reconciliation?