{"id":1469,"date":"2022-02-02T20:22:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-02T20:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=1469"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:51:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:51:44","slug":"nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Age-related physiological changes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes\/#Ready_to_put_your_nursing_knowledge_to_the_test\" >Ready to put your nursing knowledge to the test?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes\/#Main_Takeaway\" >Main Takeaway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes\/#Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\" >Incorrect Answer Explanations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes\/#Want_to_learn_more_about_this_topic\" >Want to learn more about this topic?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-age-related-physiological-changes\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on the way old age can influence drug administration.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nurse is administering medications to an 80-year-old client. Which of these age-related physiologic changes should the nurse consider when assessing the client\u2019s response to the medications?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) may lead to drug toxicity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Decreased fat stores lead to poor medication distribution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. An age-related decrease in gastric acidity increases medication absorption<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Metabolism of medications increases with age<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Scroll down for the correct answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NEW Resources for Nursing Students!\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/npr5bg20_78?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/ultimate-guide\/nclex-rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><u>Check out our&nbsp;NCLEX-RN Study Plan Guide!<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) may lead to drug toxicity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong>&nbsp;Age-related decreases in GFR may lead to drug accumulation and toxicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ready_to_put_your_nursing_knowledge_to_the_test\"><\/span><em>Ready to put your nursing knowledge to the test?<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Explore the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-smarter-prep-better-results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NCLEX\u00ae Question of the Day: Smarter Prep, Better Results<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;page to practice with NCLEX-style questions and boost your confidence before exam day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_Takeaway\"><\/span>Main Takeaway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a gradual decline in organ function during the aging process which can affect pharmacokinetics. Examples of age-related physiologic changes in the older adult include&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Glomerular_filtration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">decreased GFR<\/a>, which can result in slower excretion of medications; decreased gastric acidity, which may slow absorption of medications; decreased albumin, which affects protein binding and drug distribution; and decreased hepatic enzyme activity, which may delay or decrease metabolism of medications. These changes in organ function increase the risk of adverse drug reactions in older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect Answer Explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Decreased fat stores lead to poor medication distribution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong>: With age, body fat generally increases and total body water decreases. Increased fat increases the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Pharmacokinetics:_Drug_absorption_and_distribution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">volume of distribution<\/a>&nbsp;for highly lipophilic drugs, such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Anxiolytics_and_sedative-hypnotics:_Nursing_Pharmacology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">diazepam<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Anticonvulsants_and_anxiolytics:_Benzodiazepines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chlordiazepoxide<\/a>, and may increase their elimination half-lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. An age-related decrease in gastric acidity increases medication absorption<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong>: Physiologic changes affecting&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Introduction_to_pharmacology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pharmacokinetics<\/a>&nbsp;in older adults includes a decrease in gastric acidity, which may also slow absorption of certain medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Metabolism of medications increases with age<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong>: Physiologic changes affecting pharmacokinetics in older adults include hepatic changes such as decreased&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Cardiovascular_system_anatomy_and_physiology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blood flow<\/a>&nbsp;to the liver and decreased activity of hepatic enzymes. These changes may delay or decrease metabolism of medications rather than increase it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Want_to_learn_more_about_this_topic\"><\/span>Want to learn more about this topic?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Glomerular Filtration\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xkrvMjb-KCM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Burchum, J. R., &amp; Rosenthal, L. D. (2019).<em>&nbsp;Lehne\u2019s pharmacology for nursing care<\/em>&nbsp;(10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ruscin, M. &amp; Linnebur, S. (2021).&nbsp;<em>Pharmacokinetics in older adults.<\/em>&nbsp;Retrieved from:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/professional\/geriatrics\/drug-therapy-in-older-adults\/pharmacokinetics-in-older-adults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/professional\/geriatrics\/drug-therapy-in-older-adults\/pharmacokinetics-in-older-adults<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-09T142914.041.png\" alt=\"Learn &amp; master essential concepts for your career in nursing with osmosis sign up now.\" class=\"wp-image-1471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-09T142914.041.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-09T142914.041.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">NCLEX-RN\u00ae and NCLEX-PN\u00ae are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc (NCSBN\u00ae). Osmosis is not affiliated with NCSBN.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Want more NCLEX\u00ae-style practice questions? Try Osmosis today! Access your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">f<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ree trial<\/a>&nbsp;and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore an NCLEX\u00ae question on how aging impacts drug response, focusing on decreased GFR and risks of medication toxicity in elderly patients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":279,"featured_media":1470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20,29,1367,32],"tags":[877,879,876,878,283,245,499,688,149,875],"class_list":["post-1469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exam-prep","category-nclex","category-nclex-rn","category-nursing","tag-drug-administration","tag-drug-metabolism","tag-geriatrics","tag-medication-safety","tag-nclex","tag-nursing-education","tag-nursing-exam-prep","tag-older-adults","tag-patient-care","tag-pharmacokinetics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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Which of these laboratory results would indicate the medication\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Exam Prep&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Exam Prep","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/exam-prep"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-chronic-hepatitis.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-chronic-hepatitis.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-chronic-hepatitis.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-chronic-hepatitis.webp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1062,"url":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-bipolar-disorder","url_meta":{"origin":1469,"position":5},"title":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Bipolar disorder","author":"Paige Randall, PhD, MS, RN, CNE &amp; Elizabeth Lucas, EdD, RN, CNE","date":"July 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Today's NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on a 32-year-old client with bipolar disorder. A 32-year-old client is newly prescribed lamotrigine for\u00a0bipolar disorder. Which statement should the nurse include in the medication teaching for the client? A. \u201cTake this medication on an empty stomach.\u201d B. \u201cYellowing of the skin is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Exam Prep&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Exam Prep","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/category\/exam-prep"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-bipolar-disorde.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-bipolar-disorde.webp 1x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-bipolar-disorde.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/nclex-bipolar-disorde.webp 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/279"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1469"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8544,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1469\/revisions\/8544"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}