Elderly care Flashcards
What treat is best for symptoms such as headaches, sleeplessness and lightheadedness caused by loneliness
non-pharmacological treatment
when might prophylactic drugs be inappropriate in elderly people
prophylactic drugs may be in appropriate if they complicate the existing treatment or introduce unnecessary side effects
what is the STOPP/ START criteria
an evidence based criteria to review medication regimens in elderly people
what does the STOPP in the STOPP/START criteria mean
to reduce adverse drug reactions from inappropriate prescribing or polypharmacy
what does the START in the STOPP/START criteria mean
ensuring elderly patients are kept on medication that is indicated and appropriate
what may happen if an elderly person with difficulty swallowing tablets leaves a tablet in their mouth
can ulcer may develop
which drug classes are elderly people’s more sensitive to
- opioids
- analgesics
- antihypertensives
- NSAIDS
- antipsychotics
- benzodiazepines
- antiparkinson drugs
what is the most important effect on the body due to age that affects pharmacokinetics
reduced renal clearance
how does reduced renal clearance in elderly affect pharmacokinetics
- they excrete drugs slowly
- they are are highly susceptible to nephrotoxic drugs
- can see an increased concentration of drugs in the tissues of elderly people
how does reduced liver volume in elderly affect pharmacokinetics
elderly patients tend to have reduced liver volume, this causes the hepatic (liver) metabolism of lipid soluble drugs in elderly to be reduced
why must drugs with a narrow therapeutic index be used more carefully in elderly patients
because they have reduced renal clearance and reduced liver volume
what are the common side effects of many medication in elderly people
- confusion
- constipation
- postural hypotension and falls
how long should diuretics be used to treat gravitational oedema
only on a short term basis. gravitational oedema will usually respond to increased movement, support stockings and raising legs.
what is a common side effect of using NSAIDS in elderly
bleeding
how is the drug dose adjusted for elderly patients
dose should generally be much lower than younger patients. it is common to start with 50% of the adult dose in elderly people
