What factor is an important contribution to polypharmacy in older ...

[wenmo]

What factor is an important contribution to polypharmacy in older adults?
 
  a. Inadequate communication among medi-cal care providers
  b. Implementation of Medicare Part D pre-scription drug benefit
  c. Use of generic medications
  d. Increasing popularity of dietary and herbal supplements

Question 2

The area in which nurses have the greatest effect on the safe, effective medication therapy of an older client is:
 
  a. educating the client to all aspects of the medication.
  b. assessing for adverse reactions to the medication.
  c. monitoring overall health of the client as it is affected by the medication.
  d. evaluating the outcomes resulting from the medication.

[jamesnevil303]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Polypharmacy is often the result of inadequate communication among specialists or between spe-cialists and primary care providers. Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits influence the fi-nancing of medication but are not directly related to polypharmacy. Generic medications are a way to keep medication costs down. The use of herbal supplements is an important factor when examining drug interactions or adverse reactions but is not a direct factor related to polypharma

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Nurses have the greatest opportunity to impact medication use and improve treatment outcomes through patient education. Assessing for reactions, monitoring effects, and evaluation of out-comes all depend on the client's understanding and compliance with the medication therapy (i.e., are affected by client education).