Geriatrics Dunphy Exam Review
Questions with Correct Answers
What are the side effects of anticholinergic medications in the elderly? - Answer-Hot as
a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, mad as a hatter.
Hot as a hare (increased body temperature); blind as a bat (mydriasis - dilated pupils);
dry as a bone (dry mouth, dry eyes, decreased sweat); red as a beet (flushed face);
mad as a hatter (delirium)
Common anticholinergic medications - Answer-Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) and low-
potency antipsychotics, benztropine, atropine and antihistamines.
Ace Inhibitor Side Effects - Answer-Hyperkalemia
Digoxin (digitalis) Side Effects - Answer-Monitor for toxicity
Calcium Channel Blockers Side Effects - Answer-Constipation
Statins Side Effects - Answer-High risk for rhabdo (drop dose or stop med if c/o muscle
aches-do labs to assess)
Diuretics Side Effects - Answer-Dehydration = increase in falls & higher risk for UTI;
start low dose and go up slowly
Norvasc Side Effects - Answer-Higher rate of pedal edema
Coumadin dosing - Answer-Increase or decrease by 10% and if INR 1.8 or 1.9 recheck
in 5 days before increasing as GIB (GI bleed) is a common occurrence with blood
thinners)
BP management - Answer-dizziness can occur with low / normal
Anticholinergics - Answer-Mad hatter disease (hot, blind, dry as a bone, flush face, &
delirium)
SSRI Side Effects - Answer-Hyponatremia
CKD > Stage 3+ - Answer-Decrease dose of antibiotics - consider pediatric doses;
adjust doses and titrate slower and monitor labs closer
NO Indocin stage 4+
Questions with Correct Answers
What are the side effects of anticholinergic medications in the elderly? - Answer-Hot as
a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, mad as a hatter.
Hot as a hare (increased body temperature); blind as a bat (mydriasis - dilated pupils);
dry as a bone (dry mouth, dry eyes, decreased sweat); red as a beet (flushed face);
mad as a hatter (delirium)
Common anticholinergic medications - Answer-Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) and low-
potency antipsychotics, benztropine, atropine and antihistamines.
Ace Inhibitor Side Effects - Answer-Hyperkalemia
Digoxin (digitalis) Side Effects - Answer-Monitor for toxicity
Calcium Channel Blockers Side Effects - Answer-Constipation
Statins Side Effects - Answer-High risk for rhabdo (drop dose or stop med if c/o muscle
aches-do labs to assess)
Diuretics Side Effects - Answer-Dehydration = increase in falls & higher risk for UTI;
start low dose and go up slowly
Norvasc Side Effects - Answer-Higher rate of pedal edema
Coumadin dosing - Answer-Increase or decrease by 10% and if INR 1.8 or 1.9 recheck
in 5 days before increasing as GIB (GI bleed) is a common occurrence with blood
thinners)
BP management - Answer-dizziness can occur with low / normal
Anticholinergics - Answer-Mad hatter disease (hot, blind, dry as a bone, flush face, &
delirium)
SSRI Side Effects - Answer-Hyponatremia
CKD > Stage 3+ - Answer-Decrease dose of antibiotics - consider pediatric doses;
adjust doses and titrate slower and monitor labs closer
NO Indocin stage 4+
