NURS 6521 Explain how the age factor might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in a patient
NURS 6521 Explain how the age factor might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in a patient
*** Patient AO has a history of obesity and has recently gained 9 pounds. The patient has been diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Drugs currently prescribed include the following:
- Atenolol 12.5 mg daily
- Doxazosin 8 mg daily
- Hydralazine 10 mg qid
- Sertraline 25 mg daily
- Simvastatin 80 mg daily
******Write a 3-page paper that addresses the following:
(Including the Introduction and conclusion)
- Explain how the age factor might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient from the case you were assigned.
- Describe how changes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy. Be specific and provide examples.
- Explain how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan by changing medications or provide an alternative treatment option for the patient.
and explain why you would make these recommended improvements.
Ageing is the progressive accumulation of more or less random changes. This limits the average life expectancy to about 85 years [1], maximum life span to around 122 years [2], and lowers the ability to cope with external stresses. Moreover, the interindividual variability in the physiological responses increases with age. Ageing is not a single entity but a collective term representing the sum of cumulative local effects at the molecular, cellular and tissue level. Ageing is the effect of these

underlying changes and not the cause. Although an all-encompassing definition of ageing is not possible, several characteristics are recognized. The most consistent is the time-related loss of functional units. These units are the smallest structures still capable of performing the specific physiological activities characteristic of the organ of which they are a part (e.g. nephrons, alveoli or neurones). A further characteristic is the disruption of some of the regulatory processes that provide functional integration between cells and organs. Consequently, there is a failure to maintain homeostasis under conditions of physiological stress. This loss of functional reserve is associated with a decrease in viability and an increase in vulnerability. Ageing is not solely a progression of functional decline but produces anatomical and physiological changes which might lead to decompensation of the relevant system when they progress beyond a threshold. Some important age-related physiological changes are discussed. This is followed by a detailed description of the age-related changes in pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and pharmacodynamics (the effect of a drug on its target site).
Grading Rubric
Performance Category | 100% or highest level of performance
100% 16 points |
Very good or high level of performance
88% 14 points |
Acceptable level of performance
81% 13 points |
Inadequate demonstration of expectations
68% 11 points |
Deficient level of performance
56% 9 points
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Failing level
of performance 55% or less 0 points |
Total Points Possible= 50 | 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points |
Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic topics. |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three or more of the following elements
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16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points | |
Application of Course Knowledge
Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply principles, knowledge and information learned in the outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in the all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three of the following elements
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10 Points | 9 Points | 6 Points | 0 Points | |||
Interactive Dialogue
Initial post should be a minimum of 300 words (references do not count toward word count) The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each (references do not count toward word count) Responses are substantive and relate to the topic. |
Demonstrated all of the following:
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Demonstrated 3 of the following:
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Demonstrated 2 of the following:
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Demonstrated 1 or less of the following:
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8 Points | 7 Points | 6 Points | 5 Points | 4 Points | 0 Points | |
Grammar, Syntax, APA
Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition Error is defined to be a unique APA error. Same type of error is only counted as one error. |
The following was present:
AND
AND
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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0 Points Deducted | 5 Points Lost | |||||
Participation
Requirements |
Demonstrated the following:
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Failed to demonstrate the following:
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0 Points Lost | 5 Points Lost | |||||
Due Date Requirements | Demonstrated all of the following:
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |
Demonstrates one or less of the following.
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |