Reference no: EM133950178

Question

Mrs. Hemmings, an 83-year-old who lives alone in the community, is a patient of a medical practice where, unless an acute situation arises, she usually is seen by her physician every 6 months. She has six different prescription drugs, which she takes for hypertension, glaucoma, and osteoporosis.

On her visit to the medical office today, when her vital signs are taken by the nurse, her blood pressure is found to be 190/165. When the physician enters and takes her blood pressure again 15 minutes later, it is found to be 180/160. The physician asks if she has been taking her antihypertensive medication and diuretic, and she indicates she has. "In fact," Mrs. Hemmings says, "I'm running to the bathroom all night long to urinate."

The physician changes Mrs. Hemmings' antihypertensive to a more potent drug and leaves the room. What should have been done differently prior to the new medication being prescribed? What could the nurse do to assist Mrs. Hemmings in this situation?

1. List age-related changes that affect the way in which drugs behave in older persons.

2. What key points would you include in a program to educate senior citizens about safe drug use?

3. What interventions could you employ to aid an older adult who has poor memory to safely administer medications?

4. Review the major drug groups and identify those that address problems that could potentially be managed with nonpharmacologic means.