Prescribing in Special Populations Flashcards
6 cards from real PSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Prescribing in Special Populations flashcards as text
Why do elderly patients require special prescribing considerations?
Answer: Altered pharmacokinetics (reduced kidney/liver function, body composition changes) and increased sensitivity to many drugs
Aging reduces kidney and liver function, changes body fat distribution, and increases drug sensitivity, requiring lower doses and careful monitoring.
What is the principle of 'start low, go slow' in elderly prescribing?
Answer: Begin with the lowest effective dose and increase gradually to minimize adverse effects
This approach minimizes adverse drug reactions in elderly patients by starting at a reduced dose and titrating up slowly based on response and tolerability.
What prescribing risks exist during pregnancy?
Answer: Drugs may cross the placenta and cause teratogenic effects on the developing fetus
Many drugs cross the placenta and can harm fetal development, especially during the first trimester. Benefits must clearly outweigh risks for any prescribed medication.
Why is prescribing in children different from adults?
Answer: Children have different body composition, metabolism rates, and organ maturity affecting drug handling
Children are not miniature adults: their drug metabolism, body water content, organ function, and body surface area differ significantly, requiring weight-based or surface-area-based dosing.
What considerations apply to prescribing in renal impairment?
Answer: Drug accumulation risk requires dose reduction or interval extension for renally-eliminated drugs
Impaired kidneys cannot excrete drugs normally, causing accumulation. Dose adjustments based on creatinine clearance or eGFR are essential for renally-eliminated drugs.
What is polypharmacy and why is it a concern?
Answer: The use of multiple medications, increasing the risk of drug interactions, adverse effects, and non-adherence
Polypharmacy (typically 5+ medications) exponentially increases interaction risks, adverse effects, medication errors, and makes adherence more difficult.