Patient Education

Question 1

What are the 6 Teaching implications for YOUNG ADULTS?

Answer 1

1. Safety (seatbelts & protective equipment @ work or play)
2. Anti-Drug programs in HS & Proper use of prescription meds
3. SEX ED in HS, birth control, assertiveness skills & self defense!
4. Pregnancy, Labor, Breast-feeding classes :0
5. Parenting classes and Stress management
6. Testicular & Breast self-exam, WEIGHT & cholesterol management

Question 2

What are the 5 Teaching implications for MIDDLE ADULTS?

Answer 2

1. Exercise programs and weight control
2. Stop smoking classes, alcoholism support groups, and proper use of prescription
3. Stress management classes
4. Support groups for elder care of parents and adult day care
5. Preparing for retirement

Question 3

What are the “3” Teaching implications for OLDER ADULTS?

Answer 3

1. Review all meds on admission, assess knowledge, when & how do they ACTUALLY take
2. Give new info repeatedly over time!!
3. Make list of discharge meds:
   1) Simple instructions
   2) Large, dark, block letters
   3) Coordinate med times w/ daily schedules
   4) Use “Med-Reminder” boxes
   5) Be sure they only take ordered meds, NOT all the med they FORMERLY took plus new meds

Question 4

What are older adult & medication things to know?

Answer 4

1. Polypharmacy
   - High risk for interactions btwn meds
2. More sensitive to drug action (renal & kidney function decreases with age)
   - Make more Meds errors:
   1) Too poor to buy new meds
   2) Forget to take
   3) Take @ wrong times
   4) Don’t understand drug action & side effects
   5) Can’t see labels or pick up tiny pills well

Question 5

What are the importance of documentation?

Answer 5

1. Legal obligation
2. Quality Improvement
3. Document patient education on education flowsheet & narrative notes!