Question

which of the following factors would necessitate a reduced drug dose for a geriatric patient?
diminished metabolism
poor compliance
gender of patient
normal renal function

Explanation:

To determine the factor necessitating a reduced drug dose for geriatric patients:

• Diminished metabolism: Geriatric patients often have reduced metabolic capacity (e.g., liver function declines with age). If metabolism is diminished, drugs are eliminated more slowly, so a lower dose is needed to avoid toxicity.
• Poor compliance: Refers to a patient’s adherence to medication, not a physiological reason for dose adjustment.
• Gender of patient: While gender can impact pharmacokinetics, it is not a primary factor requiring dose reduction in all geriatric patients (unlike age - related metabolic changes).
• Normal renal function: Normal renal function means drug excretion is not impaired; no need for dose reduction (impaired renal function would require it).

Answer:

Diminished metabolism