A nurse is caring for an older adult client. The nurse should recognize that which of the following considerations apply to older adults and pharmacology? (Select all that apply).

A. Wait for at least another 30 minutes before calling to have the level drawn:
For oral medications, peak drug levels are typically drawn 1 to 2 hours after administration, depending on the medication's pharmacokinetics. Since the client took the medication only 30 minutes ago, it is premature to draw the level now. Waiting an additional 30 minutes would align with the typical peak times for oral medications, ensuring that the drug level reflects its peak concentration.

B. Schedule the level to be drawn in 8 hours:
Drawing the peak level 8 hours after administration would likely be too late, as most oral medications reach their peak concentration within 1 to 2 hours. Scheduling the level for 8 hours later may result in an inaccurate measurement of the peak drug level, leading to potentially misleading clinical information.

C. Call the lab to have the medication level drawn immediately:
Drawing the level immediately after 30 minutes may not provide an accurate representation of the peak drug level. Oral medications generally reach peak levels later, and an early draw could result in a falsely low measurement that does not reflect the drug's maximum concentration.

D. Arrange for the level to be drawn tomorrow since the peak time has passed:
The peak time has not passed, as the medication was only administered 30 minutes ago. Drawing the level tomorrow would be far too late to assess the peak concentration accurately, which is essential for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of the medication.

A. This hospital might use a different manufacturer, but the medication is the same:
While it is possible that different manufacturers might produce pills of varying appearances, this response does not directly address the client's concern or involve them in verifying the medication. It's important for the nurse to first understand what the client is accustomed to before providing reassurance about the medication.

B. What does your usual pill look like?:
Asking the client to describe their usual pill is the best response. This approach allows the nurse to verify the medication in question by comparing it to the client’s known medication. It also reassures the client that their concerns are being taken seriously and provides an opportunity for the nurse to check if there has been an error or if the medication is indeed correct.

C. This is the medication prescribed by your provider:
While this statement is factual, it does not directly address the client’s concern about the appearance of the medication. It's important to involve the client in verifying the medication to ensure they are receiving the correct drug and to maintain their trust.

D. This pill is probably from a different lot number than yours at home:
This response assumes the issue is related to the lot number, which may not be the case. It does not involve the client in the verification process or address their specific concern about the appearance of the medication. Providing a more thorough and engaging response would be more appropriate.