The nurse is aware that which of the following clients is at greatest

The nurse is aware that which of the following clients is at greatest risk for developing medica-tion toxicity?

1. The 16-year-old anorexic
2. The 35-year-old with liver cancer
3. The 45-year-old chronic alcoholic
4. The 73-year-old diagnosed with hepatitis B

ANSWER

ANS: 4
The degree to which medications bind to serum proteins such as albumin affects medication dis-tribution. Older adults have a decrease in albumin levels in the bloodstream, probably caused by a change in liver function. The same is true for clients with liver disease or malnutrition. Because of the potential for more medication being unbound, some older adults are at risk for an increase in medication activity or toxicity or both.