test 1 Flashcards
What are considerations when determining if meds are appropriate?
- Extensive assessment
- Patients med history
- Clinicians knowledge
When meds are appropriate, what should you consider?
Dose- make sure its appropriate and acceptable to client, remember that elderly have diff doses than adults
Medication- review the meds they’re on, see what can be reduced or eliminated or any med interactions
Treatment plans- educate pt on drug and non drug options, all the side effects and how to manage/ take action
what is Pharmacokinetics
the movement of drugs through the body, may be defined as what the body does to the drug, as opposed to
what is pharmacodynamics
what effects the drugs has on the body,
which may be defined as what the drug does to the body.
how is absorption different in the elderly
delayed gastric emptying,
intestinal mobility decrease,
decrease gastric pH,
drugs sitting in syst long
how is distribution different in the elderly
less muscle mass after 35y/o, a lot harder, meds stored diff.
increased fat to muscle ratio, fat lipids sit
how is metabolism different in the elderly
decrease liver size, metabolize enzymes effected
how is excretion different in the elderly
renal capacity becomes poorer
Centrally acting medicines
are meds that lower your heart rate and Bp, need to be careful in elderly bc it can cause slower heart rate, dizziness and headaches causing them to be lethargic & have a sedating fx
pharmacokinetics of centrally acting meds
one med affects the plasma concentration of the other medication
what are 2 syndromes of concern
anticholinergic
serotonin
and both are common in people w multiple meds
what are some strategies for safer med use?
- Avoid and reduce use of meds when possible
- Teach clients and families about alternative ways to manage the challenges & illnesses
- Create a culture where medications are not always the answer or the only answer
- Use a pharmacisy as a resource
- Client education regarding safe administration
- Old people in facilities, med reconciliation should be utilized
- Blister packs
- Med diaries
- Regular med review
what is poly pharmacy
5 or more medications , its associated with risk of adverse outcomes like falls, facility, disability and mortality in older adults
what is The Beers Criteria
- A list of potentially inappropriate meds for in older adults, they’re guidelienes for HCP to improve the safety or prescribing meds
what’s the argument FOR meds
Management of behaviours that pose risk for themselves or others
Deemed incompetent to make decisions about meds
Quality of life
Indication that it was needed
argument AGAINST med use
effect appetite, potential sedation
Better quality of life? – memories from past, sings,
One med to fix side effect of others
Provide good care first before taking an easy route out cause it might cause more harm
Treating underlying causes of behaviour
what leads to poly pharmacy
as people age, they get more doctors for more
what are symptoms of psychosis
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disordered or confused thoughts
Disorganised behaviours
Negative symptoms (reduction in motivation ,interest and or verbal expression)
what is psychosis
Some loss of contact with reality’. This might involve hallucinations or delusions. in elderly it can present like hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thought & speech pattern
what is hallucinations
hearing voices/ seeing things/ sensation that someone is touching them/ experiencing smells that are not there
