Medications/Therapeutic Actions of Drugs List Flashcards
What is the most Common type of Treatment in a nursing home?
P.391-393
Medication
Vitamins are the most common MEDICATION
What is the percentage of nursing home patients that take medication
95.5%
Why are the elderly at greater risk of suffering from drug reactions?
Because most drugs are lose there effectiveness as they pass through the liver and kidneys. Both liver and kidneys loose there capacity to function with age, In addition, the amount of drugs in the system is also a factor
Polypharmacy
Too many drugs being given to elderly patients.
Five rights of Medication Administration
1) Right to Medication
2) Right Dose of medication
3) Right time for administration
4) Right route (Shot or topical)
5) Right patient ( make sure right patient gets the right medication)
Antianxiety and Antipsychotic (Psychoactive) Medications
Medications that ACT on the CENTRAL NERVOUS System. - Enables residents to deal with the changes in their own behavior, and environment
Most Common are - thioridazine and chlordiazepoxide.
What are some examples of Vitamins and Minerals used as a drug?
Vitamins and minerals are the most common classes of medications prescribed for the elderly nursing home resident.
Ferrous Sulfate is one of the more popular ones in nursing homes. (Iron Supplement) - too much Iron causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Non-Steroidal and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
used for treating arthritis and chronic pain. -
Ex: Ibuprofen-
Side Effects: inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, which catalyze the conversion of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, which has adverse health effects on the body. Prostaglandins are vasodilators and help maintain blood flow and glomerular filtration through the kidneys, especially when blood volume is decreased
What are some Cardiovascular Agents
- Work to reduce pressure by different actions. //
Ex: Methyldopa (Aldomet) is an antihypertensive that works directly on the central nervous system to lower blood pressure.
Diuretics - Force the body to excrete fluids. Byt the also cause the body to get rid of potassium , that may result in muscle weakness and cramping.
Optical Medication
Mydriatics are often used for residents with glaucoma. Pilocarpine and physostigmine are two often prescribed medications.They act to decrease the fluid buildup in the eye resulting from glaucoma. These medications are administered as eye drops. Some of their more common side effects are headaches, diarrhea, and sweating.
Drug Schedule
1 to 5 classes of drugs.
1 Being a drug with high abuse, with no no medical reason to have them ex: cocaine 5) Ex: Cough Syrup.
Drug Routes
1- Orally - Mouth 2-Intramusculary - IM - Injection 3-Topically- Skin 4-sublingually - hold under tongue 5-suppositories - butt
What are the typical 5 Actions of Drugs.
1-Blocking nerve impulses 2-Stimulating nerve impulses 3-Working directly on living cells 4-Working to replace body deficiencies 5-Any of the above combination
Why are the elderly at greater risk of suffering from DRUG reactions
diminished and age related changes in the liver, kidneys that alter normal utilization of drugs in the body.
NSAID
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Ex: Ibuprofen
