ELIOPOULOS ACTUAL TEST QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION VERIFIED
RESOURCE
●● The nurse at a long-term care facility is teaching unlicensed care
providers about some of the factors that characterize adverse drug
reactions in the elderly residents. Which teaching points are valid?
(Select all that apply.)
A) "Even when a resident stops taking a drug, a reaction can take place
after the fact."
B) "Even when a resident has been taking a drug for a long time, a drug
reaction can still occur."
C) "Most 'drug reactions' are in fact age-related changes that are
mistakenly attributed to medications."
D) "Older adults often have signs and symptoms of adverse reactions
that are very different from those of younger adults."
E) "While older adults are prone to adverse reactions, these reactions
tend to resolve more quickly than in younger people."
Answer: Ans: A, B, D
Feedback:
An adverse reaction to a drug may be demonstrated even after the drug
has been discontinued. Adverse reactions can develop suddenly even
with a drug that has been used over a long period of time without
problems. The signs and symptoms of an adverse reaction to a given
drug may differ in older persons. Most drug reactions are not age-related
,changes. Adverse drug reactions do not resolve more quickly in older
patients than in younger people.
●● While reviewing a newly admitted older patient's medication history
the nurse notes that the patient has been taking a -blocker for many years
despite no apparent history of hypertension or cardiac disease. What
action should the nurse first take?
A) Hold the drug in the short term until an indication is determined
B) Monitor the patient's blood pressure and apical heart rate closely
C) Request that the physician providing care reconsider the use of the
drug
D) Investigate and provide non-pharmacologic measures to replace the
drug
Answer: Ans: C
Feedback:
In the effort to minimize polypharmacy in older adults, it is important to
determine whether a drug is really needed. It would be prudent for the
nurse to raise the issue with the physician responsible for the patient's
medications in the hospital setting. Close BP and HR monitoring is
likely not necessary and it would be inappropriate for the nurse to
independently replace or hold the drug.
●● When administering a proton pump inhibitor to a patient with
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the nurse notes that the patient
has great difficulty swallowing the enteric-coated pill. What should the
nurse do when administering this medication to the patient in the future?
, A) Crush the pill and mix with applesauce
B) Split the pill in two parts and give each separately
C) Reposition the patient and provide more fluid when giving the pill
D) Provide an herbal alternative that also reduces stomach acid
production
Answer: Ans: C
Feedback:
Since enteric-coated pills should not be crushed or split, the nurse's best
alternative is to reposition the patient and provide more fluid to aid with
swallowing. It would be inappropriate to provide a nonpharmacologic
alternative to the prescribed medication.
●● The nurse is performing a home visit to an older female patient who
has a history of obesity and poorly controlled hypertension. Which
assessment finding would be of concern to the nurse?
A) The patient has increased the intake of green tea to obtain more
antioxidants.
B) The patient has begun taking low-dose ASA for the prevention of
cardiac disease.
C) The patient takes insulin injections three times daily for the treatment
of type 1 diabetes.
D) The patient has started taking ginseng and St. John's wort for stamina
and concentration.
Answer: Ans: D
Feedback:
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION VERIFIED
RESOURCE
●● The nurse at a long-term care facility is teaching unlicensed care
providers about some of the factors that characterize adverse drug
reactions in the elderly residents. Which teaching points are valid?
(Select all that apply.)
A) "Even when a resident stops taking a drug, a reaction can take place
after the fact."
B) "Even when a resident has been taking a drug for a long time, a drug
reaction can still occur."
C) "Most 'drug reactions' are in fact age-related changes that are
mistakenly attributed to medications."
D) "Older adults often have signs and symptoms of adverse reactions
that are very different from those of younger adults."
E) "While older adults are prone to adverse reactions, these reactions
tend to resolve more quickly than in younger people."
Answer: Ans: A, B, D
Feedback:
An adverse reaction to a drug may be demonstrated even after the drug
has been discontinued. Adverse reactions can develop suddenly even
with a drug that has been used over a long period of time without
problems. The signs and symptoms of an adverse reaction to a given
drug may differ in older persons. Most drug reactions are not age-related
,changes. Adverse drug reactions do not resolve more quickly in older
patients than in younger people.
●● While reviewing a newly admitted older patient's medication history
the nurse notes that the patient has been taking a -blocker for many years
despite no apparent history of hypertension or cardiac disease. What
action should the nurse first take?
A) Hold the drug in the short term until an indication is determined
B) Monitor the patient's blood pressure and apical heart rate closely
C) Request that the physician providing care reconsider the use of the
drug
D) Investigate and provide non-pharmacologic measures to replace the
drug
Answer: Ans: C
Feedback:
In the effort to minimize polypharmacy in older adults, it is important to
determine whether a drug is really needed. It would be prudent for the
nurse to raise the issue with the physician responsible for the patient's
medications in the hospital setting. Close BP and HR monitoring is
likely not necessary and it would be inappropriate for the nurse to
independently replace or hold the drug.
●● When administering a proton pump inhibitor to a patient with
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the nurse notes that the patient
has great difficulty swallowing the enteric-coated pill. What should the
nurse do when administering this medication to the patient in the future?
, A) Crush the pill and mix with applesauce
B) Split the pill in two parts and give each separately
C) Reposition the patient and provide more fluid when giving the pill
D) Provide an herbal alternative that also reduces stomach acid
production
Answer: Ans: C
Feedback:
Since enteric-coated pills should not be crushed or split, the nurse's best
alternative is to reposition the patient and provide more fluid to aid with
swallowing. It would be inappropriate to provide a nonpharmacologic
alternative to the prescribed medication.
●● The nurse is performing a home visit to an older female patient who
has a history of obesity and poorly controlled hypertension. Which
assessment finding would be of concern to the nurse?
A) The patient has increased the intake of green tea to obtain more
antioxidants.
B) The patient has begun taking low-dose ASA for the prevention of
cardiac disease.
C) The patient takes insulin injections three times daily for the treatment
of type 1 diabetes.
D) The patient has started taking ginseng and St. John's wort for stamina
and concentration.
Answer: Ans: D
Feedback:
