One of the greatest challenges for the nurse caring for older persons is ensuring safe medication use.One way to reduce the risks associated with medication usage is to

A) Periodically review the patient's list of medications.
B) Inform the patient that polypharmacy is to be avoided at all cost.
C) Be aware that medication is absorbed the same way regardless of patient age.
D) Focus only on prescribed medications.

Question

Emily Spellman · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A, Explanation :  Periodic and thorough review of all medications is important to restrict the number of medications used to the fewest necessary to ensure the greatest therapeutic benefit with the least amount of harm.Although polypharmacy reflects inappropriate prescribing,the concurrent use of multiple medications is necessary in situations where an older person has multiple acute and chronic conditions.Older persons are at risk for adverse drug effects because of age-related changes in the absorption,distribution,metabolism,and excretion of drugs.Work collaboratively with the older person to ensure safe and appropriate use of all medications-both prescribed medications and over-the-counter medications.

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