Pharmaceutical Issues
Nutritional Deficits
Infections
Psychosocial Issues
100
This "policy", which is especially important in older adults, refers to the approach to follow for drug dosing.
What is "Start Low and Go Slow"? or give the lowest possible dose when starting a medication and slow upward titration to obtain clinical benefit; Primary provider should be notified if the dosage ordered is higher than the recommended starting dose .
100
This is one way to assess nutritional intake in the older adult.
What is keep a food diary?
100
Incomplete emptying of bladder, decreased sphincter control, and urethral obstruction R/T enlarged prostate are all risk factors of this.
What is a UTI?
100
This is a common form of self medication in older adults suffering from depression, anxiety and/or insomnia
What is abusing alcohol
200
This is a category of medications that could result in a change in mental status in the older adult.
What are: All TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), Anticholinergics, Benzodiazepines, Corticosteroids, H2 receptor antagonists, Sedative hypnotics, Antipsychotics.
200
Symptoms include dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and decreased urine output.
What is dehydration?
200
This is not a reliable indicator of infection in the older adult patient.
What is a fever?
200
These are 8 psychsocoial issues related to acute mental status change
What are: depression, anxiety, insomnia, drug/alcohol abuse, grief, change in living arrangement, loss, long standing psychiatric illnesses that are not being addressed appropriately (ie. schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder and sudden stopage of meds or need for medication adjustment)
300
One of these following medications increases the risk of change in mental status in the older adult: Dicyclomine, Lovenox, or Tylenol
What is Dicyclomine?
300
•Diarrhea or constipation •Fatigue •Loss of appetite •Balance problems •Shortness of breath, especially during exercise •Poor concentration, confusion, even dementia in severe cases •Depression •Pale skin or gums (signs of anemia) •Bleeding gums and red, swollen tongue •Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
What are symptoms of B12 deficiency?
300
This is one way to prevent the spread of infection.
What is proper hand hygiene?
300
This is the psychosocial phenomenon associated with increased confusion and restlessness in older adults with some form of dementia.
What is sundowners syndrome?
400
This is an at-home method of reducing medication error.
What is a pill organizer?
400
This is a service available to the older adult that ensures them at least one adequate meal daily.
What is Meals on Wheels?
400
These attribute to mental status change in 30% of older adults.
What is a UTI?
400
This can prevent acute confusion in the older adult who has recently had a change in environment.
What is reorient the patient to their surrounding? What is place familiar objects such as pictures in the patient's room?
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