Lecture 3

Question 1

Describe potential problems associated with drug therapy in older adults

Answer 1

• Polypharmacy
• Medication interaction.

Question 2

Consequences of Polypharmacy?

Answer 2

• Falls
• Urinary incontinence
• Poor nutrition
• Cognitive impairment
• Reduced functional status
• Drug interactions
• Difficulty with compliance
• Adverse drug reactions and events.
• Increased health care cost

Question 3

Types of medication interactions?

Answer 3

🔸 Drug - Herbs/supplements interactions.
* Ginkgo
* Ginseng
* Hawthorn
* Garlic

🔸 Drug - Food interactions.
* Calcium in dairy - levothyroxine (Decreases absortion)
* Grape fruit ( can either Increase/ decrease the bioavailability of a medication). etc

🔸 Drug - Drug interactions.
* Ace inhibitors & potassium-sparing diuretics.
* Warfarin & NSAIDs

Question 4

Identify commonly used herbs and supplements and the conditions they are used to treat

Answer 4

🔸 Echinacea
- Used to treat Cold & flu therapy.

➤ Side Effects
* Fever
* Sore throat
* Nausea/ Vomiting/Diarrhea
* Abdominal pain

🔸 Garlic
- Used to prevent stroke and Arteriosclerosis.
- Reduces Blood clots, and LDL.
- It lowers BP.

➤ Side Effects
* Risk of bleeding
* Hypoglycemia
* Hypotension
* Heart burn
* Nausea

🔸 Ginko Biloba
- Used to improve memory.

➤ Side Effects
* Risk of bleeding
* Hypotension
* Hypoglycemia

🔸 Ginseng (Root of plant)
- Used to stress.
- Lowers LDL.
- Lowers glucose levels.
- Erectile dysfunction
- Immune stimulant

➤ Side Effects
* Risk of bleeding.
* Hypoglycemia
* Edema

🔸 Glucosamine Sulfate
- Used to reduce Joint pain.
- Improves the function of Knees with Osteoarthritis.

➤ Side Effects
* Hypoglycemia
* GI Upset
* Headache
* Insomnia
* Rash

🔸 Red Yeast Rice
- Used to lower LDL.

➤ Side Effects
* Risk of bleeding
* Muscle pain
* Liver damage
* Altered Blood glucose

🔸 St. John’s Wort
- Mostly used to treat depression

➤ Side Effects
* Photosensitive
* Risk for Serotonin syndrome

🔸 Coenzyme Q10
- Its a powerful Antioxidants
- Reduces the risk of MI
- Improves HF & BP

➤ Side Effects
* Increases the effectiveness of Antihypertensive (Monitor BP)
* Reduces the effectiveness of Anticoagulants.

Question 5

PAINED - pain assessment

Answer 5

(P)ain is real (Believe the patient!)
(A)sk about pain regularly
(I)solation (psychological & social problems)
(N)otice nonverbal pain signs
(E)valuate pain characteristics
(D)oes pain impair function?

Question 6

OLD CART - pain assessment

Answer 6

Onset
Location
Duration
Characteristics
Aggravating factors
Relieving factors
Treatment previously tried