1. What kind of a history do you need to gather on the geriatric population prior to ordering psychotropic medication?
A full and complete Medical history is important to consider any co-morbid disease processes. Has the patient been treated for or diagnosed with any psychiatric disorders or diseases? Has the patient been compliant with treatment for medical or for psychiatric treatment? What type of treatment worked for the patient in the past?
The possibility of a medical diagnosis causing the psychological symptoms needs also to be ruled out. For example, a UTI in the elderly can cause confusion and make someone combative.
A full physical and workup may be in order if one has not been completed since the change in status. This may include CBC, EKG, BUN, UA/Urine C&S, Vitamin B12/folate, TSH, Hep C, HIV, toxic screen, CT or MRI to rule any potential issues out that can and should be addressed in a medical manner. (Fitzgerald, 2010).
2. What would be the rationale for dividing a dose? …show more content…
Once given there is no going back, the patient may have to deal with the side effects and/or the potentially detrimental effects on both the hepatic and renal systems.
5. Why should diazepam be avoided in the elderly?
Diazepam should be avoided in the elderly population due to increased sensitivity to benzodiazepine and decreased metabolism of this long acting mediation. All benzodiazepines carry the risk of cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, fractures, and MVCs. Diazepam may be appropriate when the patient is monitored closely during seizures or situations like acute alcohol withdrawal. The Beers Study recommends avoiding the use of this medication at most costs. (Steinman, Beizer, DuBeau, Laird, Lundebjerg, & Mulhausen, 2015).
6. What are the aging effects on the
A full and complete Medical history is important to consider any co-morbid disease processes. Has the patient been treated for or diagnosed with any psychiatric disorders or diseases? Has the patient been compliant with treatment for medical or for psychiatric treatment? What type of treatment worked for the patient in the past?
The possibility of a medical diagnosis causing the psychological symptoms needs also to be ruled out. For example, a UTI in the elderly can cause confusion and make someone combative.
A full physical and workup may be in order if one has not been completed since the change in status. This may include CBC, EKG, BUN, UA/Urine C&S, Vitamin B12/folate, TSH, Hep C, HIV, toxic screen, CT or MRI to rule any potential issues out that can and should be addressed in a medical manner. (Fitzgerald, 2010).
2. What would be the rationale for dividing a dose? …show more content…
Once given there is no going back, the patient may have to deal with the side effects and/or the potentially detrimental effects on both the hepatic and renal systems.
5. Why should diazepam be avoided in the elderly?
Diazepam should be avoided in the elderly population due to increased sensitivity to benzodiazepine and decreased metabolism of this long acting mediation. All benzodiazepines carry the risk of cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, fractures, and MVCs. Diazepam may be appropriate when the patient is monitored closely during seizures or situations like acute alcohol withdrawal. The Beers Study recommends avoiding the use of this medication at most costs. (Steinman, Beizer, DuBeau, Laird, Lundebjerg, & Mulhausen, 2015).
6. What are the aging effects on the