Polypharmacy Among the Elderly - 1324 Words

Introduction Polypharmacy among the elderly is a growing concern in U.S. healthcare system. Patients who have comorbities and take multiple medications are at a higher risk for potential adverse drug reactions. There is a great need for nursing interventions in conducting a patient medication review also known as â€Å"brown bag†. As nurses obtain history data from patients at a provider visit, the nurse should ask â€Å"what medications are you taking?† and the answer needs to include over-the-counter medications as well. If the response does not include any medications other than prescribed meds, it is incumbent upon the nursing professionals to question the patient further to ensure that no over-the-counter medications or supplements are†¦show more content†¦If the nurse is unfamiliar with a certain medication, a drug book is available for the nurse to utilize and gain knowledge regarding the drug use, action, adverse reaction, and contraindications. Literature Review Ellenbeck et al. (2004) conducted a study to identify nurses’ experiences and perceptions regarding medication and associated adverse outcomes related to polypharmacy. This non-experimental, descriptive study containing quantitative and qualitative data was used to determine the nurses’ observations and experiences. The sample included 101 home health care nurses from 12 agencies, who reported on 1467 patients. The collection of data was from the nurses’ responses to the questionnaire and surveys regarding medication management. The results of the study revealed 78% of the patients were at risk for medication error and 5% of the patients reported adverse effects of medications due to polypharmacy. In addition to lack of medication education, nurses reported that 5% of the patients were taking medications in which they did not have an order for, 9% of the medications were prescribed by more than one provide, and 5% of the patients medication orders were not u pdated in their records. The study also revealed that the nurses’ observations included olderShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Treatment Of A Geriatric Syndrome Essay1399 Words   |  6 PagesPolypharmacy and Medication Errors A Geriatric Syndrome Polypharmacy Defined Lenander et.al, (2015) define polypharmacy as the consequences of multiple concurrent medications taken to primarily manage existing health problems such as hypertension and diabetes. Polypharmacy is a typical problem among older adults. Currently, adults within the age bracket of 65 years and above take five or more medications on a weekly basis, 57% of which are women and 44% are men. Besides, the prevalence of polypharmacyRead MoreThe Number Of Medications Taken On A Daily Basis753 Words   |  4 PagesWhen we hear the word polypharmacy, we think about the number of medications taken on a daily basis. Reading through researched journals, there is really â€Å"no consensus regarding the number of medications as to how polypharmacy begins† (Fried et al., 2014, p. 2261). According to Maher, Hanlon, and Hajjar (2014) reported, â€Å"polypharmacy is the use of more medications than are medically necessary† and â€Å" medications that are not indicated, not effective, or constitute a therapeutic duplication would beRead MoreElderly Abuse Issues1420 Words   |  6 PagesIn 2012, the Canadian government established the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act, which increased awareness on the issues facing the elderly population of 65 years and above (Sibbal Holroyd-Leduc, 2012). This paper will examine three contemporary challenges facing the cohort, including elderly abuse, dementia, and polypharmacy, while preventative strategies and recommendations addressing these issues will be offered. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines abuse towards seniors as, a singleRead MorePolypharmacy in the Older Adult: Too Much of a Good Thing Essay1191 Words   |  5 PagesPolypharmacy in the Older Adult: Too Much of a Good Thing Elderly patients that take several medications compound the risk of developing an adverse drug reaction. Not only does the aging process have an effect on how elderly bodies process medication, but elderly people take more medications than their younger counterparts. According to Conry (2005), the elderly patient takes an average of 5 prescription medications and two non-prescription medications (Conry, 2005). While medications are frequentlyRead MoreDrug Use Pattern Of The Elderly854 Words   |  4 PagesDrug Use Pattern of the Elderly Together with the increasing number of years added to the older adults’ life, is the rise in the use of medications by the elderly. As discussed by Touhy and Jett (2016) â€Å"Medications occupy a central place in the lives of many older persons: cost, acceptability, interactions, untoward side effects, and the need to schedule medications appropriately all combine to create many difficulties† (p. 112). One health condition from which many older adults have in commonRead MorePatient s Drug History For Disease Control And Prevention2536 Words   |  11 Pagesâ€Å"Polypharmacy is a term that refers to a high number of prescribed medications; usually five and above, or the use of more medications than clinically justified† (Chiang-Hanisko, 2014). According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention between 2007 and 2010 nearly 25% of the elderly population were prescribed 5 or more medications. Due to the longer life expectancy, the aging population is mor e vulnerable to polypharmacy because they often have several comorbidities. The issue lies whenRead MoreHospital Readmission Rates Among The Elderly Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesHospital readmission rates among the elderly are steadily becoming a growing topic of concern. Robinson, Esquivel, and Vlahov (2012) describe readmission or re-hospitalization as a return to the hospital shortly after discharge from a recent hospital stay (p. 338). The elderly, defined as 60 years of age and older, account for the highest hospital readmission rates in comparison to other age groups (Robinson, Esquivel, Vlahov, 2012). With medical advances, life expectancy is on the rise, whichRead MoreThe quality of patient-centered care among seniors with diabetes comorbid with concurrent chronic1100 Words   |  5 PagesThe quality of patient-centered care among seniors with diabetes comorbid with concurrent chronic conditions 1. Background 1.1 Chronic conditions, aging and multimorbidity Chronic diseases are a significant and growing challenge in Canada. They are the leading cause of death, disability and account for about two thirds of the overall burden of disease (1). According to the Canadian Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada for 2009, one in four Canadians had atRead MoreThe Effect Of Exercise On Fall Prevention Paper886 Words   |  4 Pages The Effect of Exercise on Fall Prevention The widespread falls among the geriatric population reduce their quality of life and take away their functional independence. Lee et al (2013) state that falls leads to the rise in mortality rates and morbidity complications such as fractures and disabilities,1 out of 3 elderly persons in a community setting falls in a year. About 87% of all fractures in the elderly are due to falls. Several of the risk factors that are associated with fallsRead MoreAssessment Of Chronic Pain1329 Words   |  6 Pageswith loved ones nearby. Review any comorbidities that may be affecting the pain or even causing the pain. Also, note all medications the client is currently taking including herbal supplements and over the counter drugs, to prevent polypharmacy or even identify polypharmacy that is occurring already. Next, begin a focused interview. COLDSPA can be used effectively to gather all the specific information about the pain itself. Character is the description of the sign or symptom. Onset is when it began