An urgent care nurse is triaging clients. Which client statements ...

[mia]

An urgent care nurse is triaging clients. Which client statements may indicate that medications are being misused?
 
  1. I was feeling really great so I stopped taking my antibiotic and now I feel feverish.
  2. My retirement check didn't come in over the holiday weekend so I didn't have the money to get my antihypertension medication refilled. I just took one every other day instead of every day.
  3. I really thought I would get better quicker if I took the medication four times a day instead of two times a day. Now, I have diarrhea.
  4. The schedule is pretty complicated but my daughter-in-law got me a pill dispenser and that helps to keep me on schedule.
  5. I've had to borrow the money from my daughter to get my medication, but I always seem to find a way to get it.

Question 2

The nurse is educating an older adult client on ways to decrease the risk of adverse drug reactions. Which statements will the nurse include in the teaching session?
 
  1. When possible, decrease the number of prescriptions.
  2. Take medication only when necessary.
  3. Take medication as long as possible to ensure therapeutic response.
  4. Follow up as requested by provider.
  5. Adjust doses of medication in clients with renal or hepatic impairment.

[zhanghao]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Erratic use can be attributed to clients taking their medication when they feel sick and stopping the medication when feeling well.
Rationale 2: Uninsured or underinsured clients may try to make medications last longer by skipping doses or by splitting pills in half.
Rationale 3: Some clients believe taking extra doses of medication will speed recovery.
Rationale 4: This client appears to be taking medication as prescribed.
Rationale 5: This client appears to be taking medication as prescribed.
Global Rationale: Erratic use can be attributed to clients taking their medication when they feel sick and stopping the medication when feeling well. Uninsured or underinsured clients may try to make medications last longer by skipping doses or by splitting pills in half. Some clients believe taking extra doses of medication will speed recovery. The other statements do not indicate misuse of prescribed medications.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2,4,5
Rationale 1: The risk of an adverse effect increases with the number of drugs taken.
Rationale 2: Take medications only when they are needed.
Rationale 3: To minimize adverse effects, clients should only take medication for the shortest length of time necessary.
Rationale 4: Following up as requested by provider will alert the provider to early symptoms of adverse effects.
Rationale 5: Doses of most drugs must be adjusted for clients with age-related renal or hepatic impairment.
Global Rationale: The risk of an adverse effect increases with the number of drugs taken. Take medications only when they are needed. Following up as requested by provider will alert the provider to early symptoms of adverse effects. Doses of most drugs must be adjusted for clients with age-related renal or hepatic impairment. To minimize adverse effects, clients should only take medication for the shortest length of time necessary.

[mia]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[peter]

TYSM