Pharmacologic issues in aging

Older persons represent the fastest growing segment of the population and are already known to be the most prominent consumers of medications in the health care industry. The factors posited to account for this phenomenon include the perception of physical disability and the increased incidence of chronic diseases in this population. The management of an acute illness in older patients is often complicated by adverse or unpredictable drug reactions. Nursing management of safe drug therapy in the critical care setting begins with an understanding of basic pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic concepts and how they are affected by both aging and critical illness.