Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding medication administration to the children and elderly?

a. Liver and kidney functions in both populations are altered leaving both susceptible to altered medication responses.
b. Doses need to be significantly higher in both populations to produce the desired effect due to decreased liver functions.
c. Both populations should be treated the same as all patients as the therapeutic index does not change.
d. Pediatric patients have well developed livers, while elderly patients suffer from decreased liver function.

a
Rationale: a. Correct.
b. Doses need to be altered accordingly to the appropriate population being treated.
c. While the therapeutic index may the change, the patient's ability to metabolize or excrete the medication will affect how much drug may be available.
d. The infant population does not have well developed renal and hepatic function.