Older clients

Definition

Older clients are patients typically aged 65 and above who may have unique health considerations due to age-related physiological changes. These changes often necessitate specialized pharmacological approaches.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Older clients often experience altered drug metabolism and excretion, requiring dosage adjustments.
2. Polypharmacy is common among older clients, increasing the risk of drug interactions.
3. Age-related changes in body composition can affect the distribution of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs.
4. Older clients are more susceptible to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to decreased organ function.
5. Assessing renal and hepatic function is crucial before prescribing medications to older clients.

Review Questions

• Why do older clients often require dosage adjustments for medications?
• What is polypharmacy, and why is it a concern for older clients?
• How do age-related physiological changes impact the pharmacokinetics of drugs in older clients?

Related terms

Polypharmacy: The simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient, often seen in older adults.

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs): Unintended, harmful reactions to a medication at normal doses.

Pharmacokinetics: The study of how drugs move through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.