Growth and Development Q 24
Which is a major concern when providing drug therapy for older adults?
A. Older adults may chew on tablets instead of swallowing them
B. Older adults have difficulty in swallowing large tablets
C. Alcohol is used by older adults to cope with the multiple problems of aging
D. Hepatic clearance is reduced in older adults
Correct Answer: D. Hepatic clearance is reduced in older adults.
Age-related changes such as a reduction in total liver size and decrease in hepatic blood flow would limit the exposure of the drug to the metabolizing enzymes resulting in reduced hepatic clearance of a drug increasing its side effects.
Option A: Older adults may end up chewing tablets that will quickly release the effect of long-acting medications when crushed or the drug may not work properly however a physician may give smaller pills that will be easier to swallow or a liquid preparation may also be available.
Option B: Older adults may experience difficulty taking tablets due to swallowing problems secondary to health conditions such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease but there are other techniques to make swallowing pills easier (e.g.” pop bottle method”).
Option C: Alcohol is not used to cope with problems of aging since it can cause bad interactions with medications causing adverse effects. Aging can lower the body’s tolerance for alcohol. Older adults generally experience the effects of alcohol more quickly than when they were younger. This puts older adults at higher risks for falls, car crashes, and other unintentional injuries that may result from drinking.