NURS 6540 Week 4 Discussion: Over-the-Counter Drugs
NURS 6540 Week 4 Discussion: Over-the-Counter Drugs
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes differ among patients across their life spans. For geriatric patients, alterations due to aging make them especially prone to adverse drug reactions. The various health issues that affect many geriatric patients further complicate this, as the need to treat these multiple health issues often results in polypharmacy. Although treatments are frequently drugs prescribed by the health care provider, many geriatric patients also take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. While the provider sometimes recommends these OTC drugs, patients often select the drugs on their own. This makes patient education on pharmacology key when caring for geriatric patients. Many patients assume that if drugs are available over the counter, then they are safe to take. However, due to issues related to polypharmacy and how their aging bodies process drugs, OTC drugs may have serious implications for patients.
To prepare:
Review the American Geriatrics Society article and interactive media piece in this week’s Learning Resources.
Select one of the following over-the-counter drugs commonly used by geriatric patients:
Antacids or acid suppressants
Antidiarrheal
Antihistamines
Antimicrobial ointments
Antispasmodics for the bladder
Cough suppressants
Laxatives
Neutraceuticals (choose one; e.g., ginseng, St. John’s wart, etc.)
Pain medications (choose one; e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen, rub-on pain ointments/patches, etc.)
Supplements (choose one; e.g., calcium, iron, etc.)
Vaginal creams
Research the over-the-counter drug you selected. Visit a local pharmacy and explore the types/varieties of the drug that are available. Reflect on the ingredients in each type/variety, including additional active ingredients.
Consult with the pharmacist about the ingredients in each type/variety, including how to make safe and effective clinical decisions in relation to this drug. Discuss potential interactions in frail elders and precautions related to the drug based on Beers Criteria. If one is available, you may consult with a pharmacist at your practicum site as an alternative to visiting a pharmacy.
Consider ways to educate elders about the OTC drug you selected.
Week 4 Assignment 1: Practicum – Week 3 SOAP Note
In addition to journal entries, SOAP Note submissions are a way to reflect on your practicum experiences and connect these experiences to your classroom experience. SOAP Notes, such as the ones required in this course, are often used in clinical settings to document patient care. Refer to this week’s Learning Resources for guidance on writing SOAP Notes.
Select a geriatric patient that you examined during the last 3 weeks. The patient you select should be currently taking at least five prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs. With this patient in mind, address the following in a SOAP Note:
Subjective: What was the patient’s subjective complaint? What details did the patient provide regarding his or her personal and medical history? Include a list of prescription and over-the-counter drugs the patient is currently taking. Compare this list with the Beers Criteria and consider alternative drugs if appropriate.
Objective: What observations did you make during the physical assessment? What functional assessments were used?
Assessment: What were your differential diagnoses? Provide a minimum of three possible diagnoses. List them from top priority to least priority.
Plan: What was your plan for diagnostics and primary diagnosis? What was your plan for treatment and management including alternative therapies? What is your care plan for the patient? How would you offer caregiver support?
Reflection notes: What would you do differently in a similar patient evaluation? How might you improve your assessment, diagnosis, and/or plan through interprofessional collaboration?
Refer to this week’s Learning Resources for guidance on writing SOAP Notes.
By Day 7 of Week 4
This Assignment is . You will submit this Week 3 SOAP Note along with your Journal Entries (from Weeks 1, 2, and 4) by Day 7 of Week 4.
