NURS 2004 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Renal Physiology, Lean Body Mass, Circulatory System
28 Jan 2017
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Drug use among the geriatric population (65 years+) is disproportionately high. This population accounts for 33% of the nation"s prescribed drugs. Reasons for intensive drug therapies include: severity of illness, multiple pathologies, and excessive prescribing. As they are more sensitive to drugs that younger adults and they show wider individual variation. Older adults experience more adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions. Complications are a result of: impaired pharmacokinetics (organ degeneration), multiple and severe illness, multidrug therapy and poor adherence. **b/c older adults usually suffer from comorbidities and chronic illness, the goal is to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. The percentage of an oral dose that is absorbed does not usually change with age. The rate of absorption may be slowed due to decreased splanchnic blood flow and decreased gastric emptying. As a result, drug responses may be somewhat delayed. Gastric acidity is reduced for older adults and may also alter the absorption of certain drugs.
