Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Flashcards
7 cards from real MTM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Geriatric Pharmacotherapy flashcards as text
An elderly patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide. What is the primary concern specific to older adults with this medication?
Answer: Hypoglycemia due to prolonged insulin secretion
Sulfonylureas like glipizide stimulate insulin secretion regardless of glucose level, increasing hypoglycemia risk in older adults who may not recognize symptoms.
Which statement best describes the pharmacodynamic changes relevant to geriatric patients receiving warfarin?
Answer: Older adults have increased sensitivity to warfarin's anticoagulant effect
Older adults exhibit increased pharmacodynamic sensitivity to warfarin, requiring lower doses to achieve the same anticoagulant effect.
A 72-year-old man on levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson's disease develops confusion after starting a new medication. Which drug class is the most likely culprit?
Answer: Antipsychotics (especially first-generation)
First-generation antipsychotics block dopamine receptors and can worsen Parkinson's symptoms and cause confusion in older patients.
What is the significance of the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) in geriatric pharmacotherapy?
Answer: It provides a structured 10-criterion tool to assess appropriateness of each medication
The MAI evaluates each medication against 10 criteria including indication, effectiveness, dosage, directions, interactions, and practicality to ensure appropriateness.
An 85-year-old patient with osteoporosis is prescribed alendronate. Which counseling point is most critical to prevent adverse effects?
Answer: Take with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes
Bisphosphonates must be taken upright with a full glass of water to prevent esophageal irritation and ulceration.
Which of the following is a validated screening tool used in clinical practice to identify potentially inappropriate medications in older adults?
Answer: American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria
The AGS Beers Criteria is a widely used evidence-based list of potentially inappropriate medications for adults aged 65 and older.
A geriatric patient develops hyponatremia after starting an SSRI. What is the most likely mechanism?
Answer: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
SSRIs can cause SIADH in older adults, leading to dilutional hyponatremia, a potentially serious adverse effect that occurs more commonly in this population.