PROBLEM BASED LERNING Mrs. Hemmings, an 83-year-old who lives alone in the community, is a patient of a medical practice
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:55 am
PROBLEM BASED LERNING
Mrs. Hemmings, an 83-year-old who lives alone in the
community, is a patient of a medical practice where, unless an
acute situation arises, she usually is seen by her physician every
6 months. She has six different prescription drugs, which she takes
for hypertension, glaucoma, and osteoporosis.
On her visit to the medical office today, when her vital
signs are taken by the nurse, her blood pressure is found to be
190/165. When the physician enters and takes her blood pressure
again 15 minutes later, it is found to be 180/160. The physician
asks if she has been taking her antihypertensive medication and
diuretic, and she indicates she has. “In fact,” Mrs. Hemmings says,
“I’m running to the bathroom all night long to
urinate.”
The physician changes Mrs. Hemmings’
antihypertensive to a more potent drug and leaves the room. What
should have been done differently prior to the new medication being
prescribed? What could the nurse do to assist Mrs. Hemmings in this
situation?
CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES
1. List age-related changes that affect the way in which
drugs behave in older persons.
2. What key points would you include in a program to
educate senior citizens about safe drug use?
3. What interventions could you employ to aid an older
adult who has poor memory to safely administer
medications?
4. Review the major drug groups and identify those
that address problems that could potentially be managed with
nonpharmacologic means.
Mrs. Hemmings, an 83-year-old who lives alone in the
community, is a patient of a medical practice where, unless an
acute situation arises, she usually is seen by her physician every
6 months. She has six different prescription drugs, which she takes
for hypertension, glaucoma, and osteoporosis.
On her visit to the medical office today, when her vital
signs are taken by the nurse, her blood pressure is found to be
190/165. When the physician enters and takes her blood pressure
again 15 minutes later, it is found to be 180/160. The physician
asks if she has been taking her antihypertensive medication and
diuretic, and she indicates she has. “In fact,” Mrs. Hemmings says,
“I’m running to the bathroom all night long to
urinate.”
The physician changes Mrs. Hemmings’
antihypertensive to a more potent drug and leaves the room. What
should have been done differently prior to the new medication being
prescribed? What could the nurse do to assist Mrs. Hemmings in this
situation?
CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES
1. List age-related changes that affect the way in which
drugs behave in older persons.
2. What key points would you include in a program to
educate senior citizens about safe drug use?
3. What interventions could you employ to aid an older
adult who has poor memory to safely administer
medications?
4. Review the major drug groups and identify those
that address problems that could potentially be managed with
nonpharmacologic means.