NCLEX^® QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Question of the Week – February 23, 2022

February 23, 2022

The nurse is providing medication instructions to an older client who is taking digoxin daily. The nurse explains to the client that decreased lean body mass and decreased glomerular filtration rate, which are age-related body changes, could place the client at risk for which complication with medication therapy?

Show Answer Answer

Correct! The answer is number 2

Rationale:

The older client is at risk for medication toxicity because of decreased lean body mass and an age-associated decreased glomerular filtration rate. This age-related change is not specifically associated with decreased absorption, decreased therapeutic effect, or increased risk for side effects. Toxicity, or toxic effects, occurs as a result of excessive accumulation of the medication in the body.

Additional Info:

Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying

Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning

Content Area: Developmental Stages: Early Adulthood to Later Adulthood

Health Problem: N/A

Priority Concepts: Client Education; Safety

Reference: Lewis et al. (2017), pp. 72-73.

Practice Question Sourced From: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 8th Edition