Does the medical protocol have contraindications for a 71-year-old woman?

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Last updated: November 13, 2025View editorial policy

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Contraindications Assessment for a 71-Year-Old Woman

I cannot provide a definitive answer without knowing the specific medications and interventions in the medical protocol being considered.

Critical Information Needed

To properly assess contraindications for this patient, I require:

  • Complete medication list - specific drug names, doses, and frequencies 1
  • Medical conditions - current diagnoses including cardiovascular disease, renal function (eGFR), hepatic function, diabetes status 1
  • Blood pressure measurements - both office and home readings if available 1
  • Frailty assessment - functional status and Clinical Frailty Scale score 1
  • Orthostatic vital signs - blood pressure measured supine/sitting and after 1-3 minutes of standing 1
  • Current laboratory values - particularly serum creatinine/eGFR, electrolytes, complete blood count 1
  • Cardiac history - any history of ischemic events, arrhythmias, QT prolongation 1, 2
  • Fall history - documented falls in past 6-12 months 1, 3, 4
  • Concurrent medications - anticoagulants, other CNS-active drugs, serotonergic agents 1, 3, 4, 2

Age-Specific Considerations for This 71-Year-Old Patient

For blood pressure management: Treatment should follow standard guidelines for patients under 85 years who are not moderately-to-severely frail, with target systolic BP of 120-129 mmHg if tolerated 1. However, orthostatic hypotension screening is mandatory before initiating or intensifying BP medications 1.

For medication dosing: Many medications require dose adjustments in elderly patients. For example, citalopram maximum dose is 20 mg/day for patients over 60-65 years due to QT prolongation risk 2. Ketorolac requires careful risk-benefit assessment with monitoring for cardiovascular effects, fluid retention, and fall risk 3.

For frailty assessment: While age 71 alone does not contraindicate most treatments 1, screening for moderate-to-severe frailty is recommended, as this may alter treatment thresholds and targets 1.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Citalopram Dosage and Treatment Guidelines

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Ketorolac Use in Elderly Patients

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Dextromethorphan Dosing and Safety in Geriatric Patients

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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