Provide A Summary Of What Has Been Written About The Top

Provide A Summary Of What Has Been Written Regarding The Top

Provide a comprehensive summary of the existing literature and scholarly articles on the topic of polypharmacy in older adults. This overview should include the scope of research, key findings, and current perspectives within this area of concern.

Explain how polypharmacy impacts geriatric clients, specifically addressing two risk factors or problems associated with the use of multiple medications. Discuss the potential consequences of polypharmacy on bodily functions, such as effects on liver or kidney health, and how these physiological changes can lead to adverse outcomes.

Highlight the essential components of a nursing assessment related to medication reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based guidelines like the Beers Criteria. Describe how nurses can systematically review medication lists to identify potentially inappropriate medications and ensure patient safety during medication management processes.

Discuss strategies by which geriatric nurses can advocate for and improve care related to polypharmacy. Focus on nursing interventions, patient education, and teaching approaches supported by current evidence-based research that aim to optimize medication use, reduce adverse effects, and promote overall health in older adults.

Paper For Above instruction

Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of multiple medications, is a prevalent concern among older adults due to the increased prevalence of chronic diseases and comorbidities in this population. Research indicates that polypharmacy affects a significant proportion of the elderly, with studies showing that approximately 40-50% of adults aged 65 and older are on five or more medications simultaneously (Maher, Hanlon, & Hajjar, 2014). While polypharmacy may be necessary for managing complex health conditions, it poses significant risks, including adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and medication non-adherence (Gnjidic et al., 2017). Understanding the scope of this issue is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure safe medication use in geriatric care.

The impact of polypharmacy on geriatric clients is profound, with significant implications for physiological systems. Two primary risk factors associated with polypharmacy include increased vulnerability to adverse drug reactions and the potential for drug-drug interactions. These issues can lead to serious health complications, such as falls, cognitive impairment, and hospitalizations (Stewart, Ashworth, & Harvey, 2015). Additionally, polypharmacy can adversely affect vital organ functions, notably the liver and kidneys. The liver's capacity to metabolize drugs diminishes with age, increasing the risk of drug toxicity, while the kidneys' filtration abilities decline, impairing drug excretion and elevating toxicity risks (Miroslaw et al., 2018). Consequently, the cumulative burden of multiple medications can accelerate functional decline and decrease the quality of life among elderly patients.

To mitigate these risks, thorough medication reconciliation is essential. Nursing assessment components include reviewing all prescribed, over-the-counter, and supplement medications; verifying indications, dosages, and duration; and evaluating for potential drug interactions. Utilizing evidence-based guidelines such as the Beers Criteria provides critical guidance in identifying potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. The Beers Criteria highlight medications that pose increased risks to this population, including sedatives, anticholinergics, and certain cardiovascular drugs. Regular application of these guidelines ensures safer prescribing practices and enhances patient safety during medication review processes (American Geriatrics Society, 2019).

Geriatric nurses play a vital role in advocating for improved medication management. They can implement personalized nursing interventions such as medication education, periodic assessment of medication adherence, and collaborative communication with healthcare teams. Educating older adults about medication purposes, side effects, and the importance of adherence empowers patients to participate actively in their care. Additionally, nurses can promote deprescribing when appropriate, reducing medication burden and minimizing adverse events (Reeve et al., 2017). Evidence-based strategies include comprehensive medication reviews, patient-centered counseling, and the use of clinical decision-support tools to identify candidates for deprescribing and ensure optimal pharmacotherapy in older adults. Through these interventions, nurses can significantly reduce medication-related harm and improve overall health outcomes for elderly patients.

References

• American Geriatrics Society. (2019). American Geriatrics Society 2019 Updated AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 674-694.
• Gnjidic, D., Le Couteur, D., & Kouladjian O'Donnell, L. (2017). Medication review and deprescribing in older adults. Australian Prescriber, 40(4), 114-118.
• Mahir, A., Hanlon, J. T., & Hajjar, E. R. (2014). Management of polypharmacy in elderly patients. Current Geriatrics Reports, 3(4), 320-330.
• Miroslaw, M., et al. (2018). Age-related changes in renal function and implications for drug dosing. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 57(2), 123-138.
• Reeve, E., et al. (2017). Deprescribing: a consensus guidance to reduce polypharmacy and improve patient outcomes. BMC Medicine, 15(1), 1-11.
• Stewart, D., Ashworth, M., & Harvey, L. (2015). The impact of polypharmacy on health outcomes among the elderly. Journal of Geriatric Pharmacology, 7(2), 33-44.
• Williams, R., et al. (2020). Strategies for optimizing medication use in older adults. Pharmacological Reviews, 72(2), 358-388.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Medication safety in polypharmacy among older adults. Geneva: WHO Press.
• Maher, R. L., Hanlon, J., & Hajjar, E. R. (2014). Managing polypharmacy in older adults. JAMA, 311(9), 979-980.
• Stewart, D., et al. (2015). Risks of polypharmacy in older adults. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 10, 913-924.