Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

A physician considers an adult patient's age when calculating a medication dosage.

1. True

2. False

The correct answer is: True

When determining medication dosages, a physician takes into account a variety of patient factors, and age is one of the key considerations. Age can significantly influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications in adults. As individuals age, their body composition changes, including variations in muscle mass, fat distribution, and organ function, particularly liver and kidney function. These factors can impact how a drug is metabolized and excreted, potentially necessitating adjustments in dosage to ensure safety and efficacy. Younger adults may generally tolerate higher doses due to better organ function and metabolic activity, while older adults might require lower dosages to avoid adverse effects. Therefore, taking a patient's age into consideration allows for a more personalized and safer approach to prescribing medications, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.