A frail older patient is at risk for poor treatment outcomes in acute care due to which factor?

• A. Increased incidence of nosocomial infections
• B. Increased risk of adverse outcomes from therapeutic interventions
• C. A diagnosis of vague symptoms and problems
• D. Cognitive impairments

Answer: (B)

Frailty means limited physiologic reserve and a reduced ability to cope with stress. In acute care, treatments—medications, procedures, and immobilization—pose a greater risk of harm because even standard interventions can produce disproportionate adverse effects in a frail patient. This can show up as delirium, falls, hypotension, electrolyte disturbances, kidney injury, or rapid functional decline, all of which worsen outcomes. So the factor most linked to poor treatment outcomes is the increased risk of adverse outcomes from therapeutic interventions due to the patient’s frailty.