NR 526 Week 3 Discussion: Polypharmacy and the Effects of Age
Examining the case of Charles Gibson, construct and explain a concept map that describes
... [Show More] how you would expect polypharmacy and his age to affect the pharmacokinetics of his medications. Include a discussion of pathophysiology and health assessment in your discussion.
To assist you with this discussion, please refer to the following Brainshark tutorial:
http://www.brainshark.com/devry/vu?pi=zHdzHuCUOzSZRmz0 (http://www.brainshark.com/devry/vu?pi=zHdzHuCUOzSZRmz0)
Note: there are several sites that provide free concept mapping software or allow you to use their software for free for 30 days. Your faculty member may also be able to discuss potential sources. If you prefer, you can draw out a concept map on pencil and paper, take a picture of it, and copy it into the discussion textbox.
ANSWER
Dr. and Class,
Advances in health care have significantly contributed to increased life spans in the 20thcentury allowing people to fight diseases that could have resulted in death nearly 100 years ago (Mahishale, 2015). People over the age of 65 are at higher risk of multi- morbidity and chronic long-term diseases based on habits such as alcohol, smoking, or eating a poor diet (Mahishale, 2015).
Medications are often prescribed to alleviate symptoms related to a disease process, however, medications are often prescribed to alleviate side effects of the initially prescribed medication. Polypharmacy leads to increased risk of drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and nonadherence (Urfer, Elzi, Dell-Kuster, & Bassetti, 2016). Ageing patients experience a variety of physiological changes through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (Pedersen, 2017). Patients who routinely take multiple medications may not experience full effect of a medication or may have toxic levels due to these changes. Assessments of ageing patients should include blood work to assess liver and kidney function to ensure medications are able to be metabolized and excreted appropriately. Ongoing communication with patients and health care providers are essential in order to determine any drug interactions that could be taking place. I have attached a concept map as part of this discussion.
Thank you, Alyssa Clemens
References
Mahishale, V. (2015). Ageing world: health care challenges. Journal of the Scientific Society, 42(3), 138-143. DOI: 10.4103/0974- 5009.165540
Pedersen, D. (2017). In PsychNotes: Clinical Pocket Guide, 5th ed (pp. 209–210). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: F.A. Davis Company. Retrieved from https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=nup&AN=2013216089&site=eds-live&scope=site
Ruscin, J. M., & Linnebur, S. A. (2018, December). Pharmacokinetics in older adults.Retrieved from Merck Manual Professional Version: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/geriatrics/drug-therapy-in-older-adults/pharmacokinetics-in-older-adults
Urfer, M., Elzi, L., Dell-Kuster, S., & Bassetti, S. (2016). Intervention to improve appropriate prescribing and reduce polypharmacy in elderly patients admitted to an internal medicine unit. PLOS ONE, 11(11), 1-15. [Show Less]