Which of the following is correct about the Beers Criteria list?
A list of appropriate medications given to older adult patients.
A list of over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements given to older adult patients.
A list of medications that are considered potentially inappropriate when given to older patients.
An outline of characteristics that help older patients manage their medications.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
The Beers Criteria specifically focuses on drugs with potential risks outweighing benefits in older adults due to age-related physiological changes like decreased renal clearance and altered drug distribution, not a list of universally appropriate medications.
Choice B rationale
The Beers Criteria primarily addresses prescription medications that are commonly used and potentially harmful to older adults, not a comprehensive list of over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements, which also carry risks.
Choice C rationale
The Beers Criteria is a guide for healthcare professionals listing specific medications or medication classes that should generally be avoided or used with caution in older adults, aiming to reduce adverse drug events.
Choice D rationale
While medication management is crucial, the Beers Criteria is a list of potentially inappropriate medications, not an outline of patient characteristics or strategies for older patients to self-manage their medications effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A patient admitted due to a fall may have various injuries, but without further information indicating impaired organ function (like liver or kidney disease), a fall alone does not specifically suggest a compromised capacity for drug metabolism or elimination, which are the main determinants of drug toxicity risk.
Choice B rationale
A poor appetite can lead to nutritional deficiencies, potentially affecting plasma protein levels (hypoalbuminemia), which could theoretically increase the free (active) fraction of highly protein-bound drugs. However, this is an indirect risk factor, and the direct impact on drug elimination is less immediate than impaired renal function.
Choice C rationale
A low creatinine clearance (normal range 90-130 mL/min/1.73 m) indicates significantly impaired kidney function. The kidneys are the primary route for the excretion of many drugs and their metabolites. Reduced clearance leads to the accumulation of drugs in the body, increasing the plasma concentration and significantly raising the risk of dose-dependent drug toxicity.
Choice D rationale
Dehydration can lead to hemoconcentration, which might increase the drug concentration initially. However, it can also lead to acute kidney injury, which, if present, would be the main concern due to reduced drug excretion. Dehydration itself is less direct a risk factor for drug accumulation than chronic or sustained renal impairment.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
This statement shifts the responsibility for seeking clarification onto the patient after discharge, failing to actively assess their understanding of the medication regimen before leaving the hospital.
Choice B rationale
The teach-back method involves asking the patient to restate the information in their own words, which allows the nurse to immediately assess the patient's understanding and identify any areas requiring further teaching or clarification.
Choice C rationale
Asking the patient to review a list and then ask questions is a passive approach that does not confirm whether the patient has truly grasped the critical information needed for safe self-administration at home.
Choice D rationale
Assuming the patient is familiar and merely repeating information is a form of didactic teaching that does not assess comprehension; this approach lacks the confirmation of learning that teach-back provides.
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