NursingSprint

✔️ Renal Function Decline:

As people age, renal function tends to decline, which affects the ability of the kidneys to excrete medications. Slower renal excretion means medications stay in the body longer, potentially leading to drug accumulation and increased risk for toxicity.

✔️ Pharmacokinetics in Older Adults:

The aging process often leads to a reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal blood flow, and nephron function, which directly affects the metabolism and clearance of medications, requiring dosage adjustments.

✔️ Clinical Significance:

It is important to monitor kidney function (via creatinine clearance or GFR) in older adults and adjust medication dosages accordingly to avoid adverse drug reactions and toxicity.

Educational Insight:

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) highlights the importance of renal function assessment when prescribing medications for older adults to avoid complications due to slower drug excretion.

Incorrect Options:

"B. Brain receptors become less sensitive to medications."

While brain receptors may become less sensitive to certain medications (like benzodiazepines), increased sensitivity to some medications (such as antipsychotics) can also occur in older adults, so this is not universally true.

"C. Gastric emptying rate increases."

Gastric emptying rate decreases with age, which can affect the absorption of certain medications. This slows down the onset of action for some drugs.

"D. Hepatic enzymes process medications more rapidly."

Hepatic metabolism generally slows down with aging due to a decrease in liver size and hepatic blood flow, which can result in slower drug processing and increased risk of drug buildup.