A nurse completes a drug history for an 83-year-old patient newly ...

[Mimi]

A nurse completes a drug history for an 83-year-old patient newly hospitalized with syncope. Which information would be the most important for the nurse to assess to prevent drug-to-drug interactions?
 
  a. Prescription and nonprescription drugs and substances the patient uses
  b. Places the patient stores medications at home
  c. Names of persons who assist the patient daily with medication management
  d. Name of the pharmacy where the patient routinely has prescriptions filled

Question 2

A nurse is working with an elderly patient who takes multiple medications for various ailments and illnesses. What interventions could the nurse implement to help promote compliance by this elderly patient? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Ensure that the number of drugs and doses per day is as small as possible.
  b. Explain the treatment plan in clear, concise instructions.
  c. Choose an appropriate dosing form, such as liquid versus pill form.
  d. Have the patient administer medication patches every week to cut down on pills.
  e. Enlist the assistance of a neighbor or friend to help with administration of medications.
  f. Use multiple containers clearly labeled with the medications.

[xiaomengxian]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The most important information the nurse can assess is the potential drug-to-drug interactions that can occur with prescription and nonprescription drugs, as well as herbal substances.
The places the patient stores the medication may be significant if the medications are sensitive to light, but this is not related to drug-to-drug interactions.
The names of persons who assist the patient are not the priority in drug-to-drug interactions unless the individual is administering the drugs improperly, and the question as stated does not indicate such.
The name of the pharmacy is not important either, because there is no indication that the patient has the prescriptions filled at multiple pharmacies.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C, E
Compliance may be promoted by ensuring that the number of drugs and doses per day is as small as possible; explaining the treatment plan in clear, concise language; choosing an appropriate dosing form (ie, if the patient has difficulty swallowing pills, have a liquid ordered); and enlisting the assistance of a neighbor or friend to help with reminders or administration of medications.
Having the patient administer patches may be dangerous, because toxicity may develop if the patient forgets to take one off as prescribed.
Using multiple containers for medications may result in double dosing and confuse the patient.

[Mimi]

Gracias!

[momolu]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it