Safe Medication Use in Older Adults
As adults age, decreased kidney function can cause medications to remain in the body longer, increasing the risk for this medication-related problem.
What is medication toxicity?
Taking multiple medications at the same time, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, is known by this term and can increase the risk of adverse drug interactions.
What is polypharmacy?
An older adult suddenly becomes confused and unsteady after beginning a new medication. These symptoms may indicate this type of medication-related complication.
What is an adverse drug reaction?
A hospitalized older adult suddenly develops confusion, agitation, and altered attention after receiving several new medications. The nurse should suspect this acute medication-related syndrome first.
What is delirium?
When prescribing medications for older adults, healthcare providers often use this evidence-based screening tool to identify potentially inappropriate medications that may increase the risk of falls, confusion, hospitalization, and adverse drug reactions.
What are the Beers Criteria?