The nurse is planning teaching for a staff seminar regarding psychiatric medication administration. The nurse's teaching should be guided by the knowledge that:
1. Sedation is a desirable side effect for older adults.
2. Falls and choking risk are increased by psychiatric medications.
3. Older adults are less prone to side effects than other age groups.
4. Standard adult dosages are well tolerated by older adults.
2
Rationale: Psychiatric medications can cause extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonias, akathisia, tremors, or pseudoparkinsonism, which can cause greater risk for falling or choking. Older adults are more vulnerable to side effects and cannot tolerate standard adult dosages as well as other adults. Sedation is not a desirable side effect unless sleep is an issue because it can lead to falls, confusion, and decreased social interaction.
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