What nonpharmacological modalities can be used for pain control? Given the multifactorial nature of pain, nonpharmacological modalities are often used for the psychological and functional components of the pain experience. Relaxation and biofeedback training are two methods that teach a patient to have a greater sense of awareness of their pain, with the intent to …
What methods can be used to assess pain in the cognitively impaired elderly? The use of VAS and VDS scales can be limited in a patient with dementia or cognitive impairment, placing this elder population at an even higher risk for underdiagnosis and treatment. In a study of elderly patients with dementia, 84% were not …
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What methods can be used to assess pain in the elderly? There are a number of pain assessment instruments used throughout medicine. Many of the most commonly used instruments are unidimensional and measure only pain intensity. Examples of these include the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, which provide a …
What tools are available to assist prescribers when treating the elderly? To help providers minimize the risk of medication-related negative outcomes, multiple screening tools as well as a list of medications with known potential for greater risk than benefit in the elderly have been developed. The Screening Tool of Older People’s Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) …
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How can side effects related to medications be prevented? The elderly population is highly vulnerable to medication-related problems manifesting in adverse events including falls, depression, confusion, constipation, and hip fractures. Studies suggest a 6% to 30% incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) in the elderly. These ADEs are undesirable, harmful, and in many cases preventable …
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What are the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that occur in the elderly patient? Pharmacokinetic changes are those that affect the absorption, distribution, protein binding, metabolism and bioavailability, and elimination of a drug. Pharmacodynamic changes relate to alterations in drug-receptor interactions. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Changes With Aging and Their Effects CHANGES EFFECT EFFECT ON DRUG USE …
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What are the physiologic changes that occur in the elderly? CHANGES EFFECT EFFECT ON DRUG USE General Increased body fatDecreased total body waterDecreased muscle mass Increased V d for lipophilic drugsDecreased V d for hydrophilic drugs Lipophilic:Delayed onset of actionProlonged half lifeHydrophilic:Increased plasma levelsHigher frequency of ASEs Cardiovascular Decreased cardiac index Rapid and high drug peak Increased toxicity risk Gastrointestinal Altered …