The nurse is caring for an older adult who reports severe chronic pain. To best assess age- related physiologic changes that could influence plans for initiating an appropriate drug regimen, the nurse prepares the patient for which laboratory evaluation?

Serum complement level

Glomerular filtration rate

White blood count

Electroencephalogram

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A.   Serum complement levels are used to evaluate the complement system, which is part of the immune system and plays a role in inflammation and infection. While complement levels can be important in certain inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, they are not typically used to assess age-related changes that impact drug metabolism or the appropriate selection of pain medications.
B.   The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a key measure of kidney function. In older adults, kidney function often declines with age, affecting the metabolism and excretion of medications. Many drugs are primarily eliminated through the kidneys, and impaired kidney function can lead to drug accumulation, increased risk of toxicity, and altered therapeutic efficacy. Assessing GFR helps in adjusting medication doses to avoid adverse effects and ensure safe and effective treatment.
C.   A White Blood Count (WBC) measures the number of white blood cells in the blood and is used to assess the body's response to infection, inflammation, and other conditions. While it provides valuable information about immune function and potential infections, it does not directly address age-related changes in drug metabolism or pharmacokinetics. Therefore, it is not the primary test for evaluating how aging might affect drug therapy.
D.   An Electroencephalogram (EEG) records the electrical activity of the brain and is used to diagnose neurological conditions such as seizures, sleep disorders, and brain abnormalities. Although EEGs are valuable in certain neurological assessments, they do not provide information on how age-related physiological changes affect drug metabolism or how to tailor drug regimens for older adults.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. When a patient is taking multiple medications, it's important to review them for potential interactions. Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, is common in older adults and can increase the risk of adverse drug reactions, side effects, and decreased effectiveness of medications.
B. While it's important to educate the patient about the risks of polypharmacy, the nurse's initial priority should be to assess the medications for potential interactions.
C. This is an important step in patient education, but it should be done after the nurse has reviewed the medications for potential interactions.
D. While it's important to verify the appropriateness of each medication, the nurse's initial priority should be to assess for potential interactions.

A. 0.75 tablet B. 1 tablet C. 0.5 tablet D. 0.25 tablet

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Number of tablets = Desired dose (mg) / Tablet strength (mg) Plugging in the given values:

Number of tablets = 0.125 mg / 0.25 mg/tablet Number of tablets = 0.5 tablet

Therefore, the nurse should prepare 0.5 tablet of digoxin to administer to the patient.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is caring for an older adult who reports severe chronic pain. To best assess age- related physiologic changes that could influence plans for initiating an appropriate drug regimen, the nurse prepares the patient for which laboratory evaluation?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse admitting an 89-year-old patient to an assisted living facility notes that the patient is currently taking numerous prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The nurses initial intervention is to:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient with congestive heart failure is scheduled to receive 0.125 mg of digoxin. The nurse has on hand 0.25 mg/tablet. How many tablet(s) should the nurse prepare to administer?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

During a home visit, a nurse is assessing the nutritional awareness of an older adult patient who lives alone. The nurse is most effective in obtaining objective information when:

An older adult patient is being assessed for possible alcohol abuse. To best assess the patient's risk potential, the nurse asks:

A nurse working in the emergency department is seeing an older patient who does not speak English well. The nurse calls for an interpreter. The student wants to know why the patient's minor child, who speaks English, cannot interpret. What response by the nurse is best? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for an older patient in the emergency department. What information about the patient will be most helpful in creating a plan of care?

What data are necessary to compile an effective end-of-shift report? (Select all that apply.)

An older adult patient has recently experienced some difficulty sustaining an erection as a result of medication he has been prescribed. The nurse best assesses the patients perception of his own sexuality by asking

A nurse planning primary disease prevention interventions for a 64-year-old patient includes which of the following? Select all that apply.

The nurse responsible for administering medications to the residents of a long-term care facility shows an understanding of the risk of injury this population experiences when