The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for an older adult client who is taking multiple medications. Which principles should the nurse keep in mind during the planning phase?
1. The client should use only one pharmacy to fill prescriptions.
2. The client should keep a list of all medications for easy accessibility.
3. Polypharmacy is a common cause of medication errors in older clients.
4. Polypharmacy is unique to older clients and is the most common cause of medication errors.
5. The client should be aware of each prescribed medication, the dose, and possible side effects.
Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5
Rationale 1: It is common for older clients to have medical conditions requiring the use of multiple medications that could have possible interactions. Using one pharmacy will ensure the pharmacist will discover any problematic interactions between multiple drugs.
Rationale 2: Keeping a list available is important for unexpected trips to a healthcare facility.
Rationale 3: The use of multiple drugs for multiple chronic conditions is a common cause for medications errors in older clients.
Rationale 4: Polypharmacy is not unique to older clients, although it is most often seen in this group.
Rationale 5: Knowing the names, dose, and possible side effects of medications will reduce the risk for medication errors.
Global Rationale: It is common for older clients to have medical conditions requiring the use of multiple medications that could have possible interactions. Using one pharmacy will ensure the pharmacist will discover any problematic interactions between multiple drugs. Keeping a list available is important for unexpected trips to a healthcare facility. The use of multiple drugs for multiple chronic conditions is a common cause for medications errors in older clients. Knowing the names, dose, and possible side effects of medications will reduce the risk for medication errors. Polypharmacy is not unique to older clients, although it is most often seen in this group.
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