An older adult client is being discharged with multiple new prescriptions. Which strategies could the home health nurse employ to encourage adherence?
1. Communicate the purpose the new medications serve toward treatment of the condition.
2. Ensure the medication is dispensed in containers that are easily opened.
3. Make sure all drugs are clearly labeled with instructions.
4. Place daily follow-up phone calls to high-risk older clients.
5. Simplify the regimen to twice-a-day dosing and reduce the number of medications the older client must take.
Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: It is important that older clients understand the purpose of medications and their importance to the treatment plan.
Rationale 2: It is important for older clients to be able to easily access the medication.
Rationale 3: Clearly labeled instructions may encourage the client to take the medication as directed.
Rationale 4: Follow-up phone calls to high-risk older clients are important, but the frequency will depend on the client.
Rationale 5: Reducing the number of medications and frequency of dosing will decrease risk for nonadherence, but twice-a-day dosing may not be possible.
Global Rationale: It is important older clients understand the purpose of medications and their importance to the treatment plan. It is important for older clients to be able to easily access the medication. Clearly labeled instructions may encourage the client to take the medication as directed. Follow-up phone calls to high-risk older clients are important, but the frequency will depend on the client. Reducing the number of medications and frequency of dosing will decrease risk for nonadherence, but twice-a-day dosing may not be possible.
You might also like to view...
Which of the following indicate a person is effectively coping? (Select all that apply.)
a. Avoids avoidance c. Focuses on solu-tions b. Confronts realities d. Redefines problems
Which characteristics would the nurse expect in the stool of a child with cystic fibrosis?
A) Clay-colored stools B) Large foul-smelling stools C) Black tarry stools D) Thin pencil-like stools
When the preoperative patient tells the nurse that he cannot sleep because he keeps thinking about the surgery, an appropriate reflection of the statement by the nurse is
A) "Sounds as if your surgery is a pretty scary procedure." B) "You have a great surgeon. You have nothing to worry about." C) "You shouldn't be nervous. We perform this procedure every day." D) "The thought of having surgery is keeping you awake."
Which individuals are at risk for developing lung and respiratory tract cancers because of exposure to known cancer-inducing environmental factors?
a. A patient whose partner smokes 1 1/2 packs of cigarettes a day b. A 10-year employee of an asbestos fiber manufacturer c. A farmer whose equipment is primarily driven by diesel engines d. An older adult with a family history of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) e. A 10-year delivery employee for a paper manufacturing company