You have been asked to consult in the treatment of an 80-year-old patient. An antimuscarinic drug is being considered. Atropine therapy in the elderly may be hazardous because:
Correct Answer: Atropine can elevate intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
Description: The elderly have a much higher incidence of glaucoma than younger people (and may be unaware of the disease until late in its course). Antimuscarinic agents may increase intraocular pressure in individuals with glaucoma. Elderly men (not women) have a much higher probability of developing urinary retention because they have high incidence of prostatic hyperplasia. Cardiac and hypehermic reactions to atropine are not common in the elderly. Ref: Chong N. (2011). Chapter 23. Lasers in Ophthalmology. In P. Riordan-Eva, E.T. Cunningham, Jr. (Eds), Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology, 18e.
Category:
Ophthalmology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now