A nurse is preparing to teach a forgetful older adult patient ...

[hubes95]

A nurse is preparing to teach a forgetful older adult patient about a multiple drug regimen to follow after discharge from the hospital. To help promote adherence, what will the nurse do?
 
  a. Ask the patient to share the teaching with a neighbor or friend soon after discharge.
  b. Give the patient detailed written informa-tion about each drug.
  c. Cluster medication administration times as much as possible.
  d. Make sure the patient understands the ac-tions and side effects of each drug.

Question 2

What are the properties of an ideal drug? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Irreversible action
  b. Predictability
  c. Ease of administration
  d. Chemical stability
  e. A recognizable trade name

[Dunkey]

Answer to Question 1

C
Unintentional nonadherence often is the result of confusion and forgetfulness. Grouping medica-tions to reduce the number of medication times per day can simplify the regimen and help the patient remember medication times. Enlisting a neighbor, relative, or friend is a good idea, but this person should be included in the teaching. Asking the patient to share what is learned may not be a reasonable expectation of a forgetful patient. Detailed written information may just be more confusing; verbal and written information should be clear and concise. Making sure the patient understands the actions and side effects of medications helps when intentional nonadhe-rence is an issue, but in this case it may just add to the patient's confusion.

Answer to Question 2

B, C, D
In addition to predictability, ease of administration, and chemical stability, other properties in-clude a reversible action so that any harm the drug may cause can be undone and a simple generic name, because generic names are usually complex and difficult to remember and pronounce.

[hubes95]

Excellent

[ryhom]

Gracias!