CCP Geriatric Pharmacology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why are older adults more sensitive to certain medications?
- They take more vitamins
- They have stronger immune systems
- Reduced metabolism and clearance (Correct answer)
- Faster digestion of medications
Correct answer: Reduced metabolism and clearance
Aging affects liver and kidney function, reducing drug metabolism and excretion, which increases drug sensitivity.
Question 2: What is polypharmacy?
- Taking herbal supplements
- Using over-the-counter meds only
- Use of multiple medications (Correct answer)
- Administering vaccines
Correct answer: Use of multiple medications
Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications, common in older adults and associated with increased risk of adverse events.
Question 3: Which age-related change impacts pharmacokinetics in the elderly?
- Increased gastric acid
- Decreased renal function (Correct answer)
- Faster liver enzymes
- Increased muscle mass
Correct answer: Decreased renal function
Decreased renal function affects drug clearance, necessitating dosage adjustments in older adults.
Question 4: Which tool helps assess inappropriate medications in elderly patients?
- WHO checklist
- Beers Criteria (Correct answer)
- FDA Black Box Warnings
- MMSE scale
Correct answer: Beers Criteria
The Beers Criteria is a guideline for healthcare providers to improve medication safety in older adults.
Question 5: Why should anticholinergic drugs be used cautiously in older adults?
- They increase heart rate
- They improve muscle tone
- They can cause cognitive impairment (Correct answer)
- They improve digestion
Correct answer: They can cause cognitive impairment
These drugs may cause confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and other side effects that are more pronounced in elderly patients.
Question 6: What is a pharmacist’s role in managing geriatric pharmacotherapy?
- Dispense medications only
- Conduct surgical assessments
- Monitor drug regimens and interactions (Correct answer)
- Deliver physical therapy
Correct answer: Monitor drug regimens and interactions
Pharmacists review medication regimens to prevent drug interactions and ensure appropriate dosing in elderly patients.
CCP Geriatric Pharmacology 1
Why are older adults more sensitive to certain medications?