Prior to initiating drug therapy in elderly clients, which results should the nurse assess?

• A. Renal and hepatic function tests
• B. Ejection fraction
• C. Vision tests
• D. Hearing tests

Answer: (A)

Baseline evaluation of organ systems that clear drugs is essential before starting therapy in older adults. Aging often reduces renal function and hepatic metabolism, so knowing how well the kidneys and liver are working helps predict how a drug will be eliminated and what dose is safe. This information guides dose adjustments, minimizes accumulation, and lowers the risk of toxicity.

Ejection fraction reflects heart pumping and can be important for drugs with cardiac effects in patients with heart disease, but it isn’t a universal prerequisite for initiating most medications. Vision and hearing tests aren’t standard predrug assessments for all therapies; they’re relevant only for specific drugs known to affect those senses.