A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for an older adult client.Which of the following physiological changes should the nurse recommend considering when administering medication?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationale:This is the correct answer. Older adults often experience decreased kidney function as a normal part of aging. Medications that are excreted primarily by the kidneys may require dosage adjustments to prevent potential toxicity.Choice B rationale:Increased liver function is not a typical physiological change in older adults. Liver function tends to decrease with age, which can affect the metabolism and clearance of certain medications.Choice C rationale:Increased metabolism is not a common physiological change in older adults. Metabolic rate tends to decrease with age, which can affect the metabolism of drugs.Choice D rationale:While pulmonary function may decrease with age, it is not the primary physiological change to consider when administering medications to older adults. Kidney function is a more critical factor in medication dosing for this population.