A nurse assesses frail older adults prescribed multiple ...

[gonzo233]

A nurse assesses frail older adults prescribed multiple medications. Which of the following pairs of medications are most likely to lead to an adverse drug event causing hospitalization? (Select all that apply.)
 
  A) Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and tamsulosin (Flomax)
  B) Ferrous sulfate (Feratab) and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
  C) Metformin (Glucophage) and glyburide (Micronase)
  D) Naproxen (Naprosyn) and glucosamine (Glucosamina)
  E) Warfarin (Coumadin) and clopidogrel (Plavix)

Question 2

A home care nurse admits an older adult with macular degeneration. Which of the following assessment questions is most appropriate?
 
  A) Do you have difficulty opening your medication bottles?
  B) How do you organize your medications?
  C) How many medications do you take each day?
  D) What medications do you take each day?

[joshbk44]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: C, E
Up to 13 of patients taking two medications experience an adverse drug event. Medications most frequently cited as causes of emergency hospitalizations are warfarin, antiplatelet drugs, and antidiabetic drugs, including insulin and oral hypoglycemics.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B
The client with macular degeneration will have limited sight; therefore, a question about assuring that this client takes the correct medications at the correct time is appropriate. There is no indication that this client would have difficulty opening bottles. Asking how many medications are taken each day is not helpful nor does it use therapeutic communication. The nurse will want to know what medications the client takes; however, this question is limiting. It does not include PRN, herbs, or even medications a client may take weekly. Nurses should ask additional questions about the client's ability to take his or her medications as prescribed based on specific observations.

[gonzo233]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[dawsa925]

Excellent