Prescribing in special groups Flashcards
When does an embryo become a foetus?
8 weeks
Do children have a lower or higher volume of distribution?
Higher
Why might a child’s metabolism be slower than expected?
Immature hepatic enzymes
How do you calculate the dosage of children’s medication?
Dose= (child’s body surface area/adult body surface area)x adult dose
What is a Broselow tape used to measure?
Length to estimate weight
What conditions can the following drugs cause in children? IV chloramphenicol, aspirin, tetracycline
IV chloramphenicol- Grey baby syndrome
Aspirin- Reye’s syndrome
Tetracycline- Discoloured teeth and growth problems
What is the definition of frailty?
Progressive physiological decline in multiple organ systems leading to a loss of function, loss of physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to decline and death
Why do elderly patients with anti-hypertensive medication have a greater risk of falls?
Reduced baroreceptor function
What are the geriatric giants?
Immobility, instability, incontinence, impaired intellect
What are the frailty syndromes?
Falls, immobility, delirium, incontinence, susceptibility to side effects
Which types of diuretics are not very effective in renal impairment?
Thiazide diuretic
What is the definition of status epilepticus? How is it treated?
Prolonged seizure or cluster of seizures without return to baseline lasting more than 30 minutes. Lorazepam, rectal diazepam, buccal midazolam. Follow up with phenytoin
