Description
- Identify and discuss 2-3 definitions of polypharmacy (there are multiple definitions). Your textbook can count as 1 reference. You must also include an additional reference from an evidence-based practice journal article or national guideline.
- Identify three risk factors that can lead to polypharmacy. Explain the rationale for why each listed item is a risk factor. Risk factors are different than adverse drug reactions. ADRs can be a result of polypharmacy, and is important, but ADRs are not a risk factor.
- Explore three action steps that a provider can take to prevent polypharmacy.
- Provide an example of how your clinical preceptors have addressed polypharmacy.
DISCUSSION CONTENT
Category
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Description
Application of Course Knowledge
15
30
1. Includes more than one definition of polypharmacy
2. Includes three risk factors that can lead to polypharmacy with rationale.
3. Includes three action steps that a provider can take to prevent polypharmacy.
4. Provides an example of how the clinical preceptor has addressed polypharmacy.
Explanation & Answer
View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.
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NR601: Week 1 Polypharmacy
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NR601: Week 1 Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy is a common concern among the elderly, and different organizations have
used various definitions to elucidate the issue. This paper provides the various definitions, risk
factors, and action steps to avert polypharmacy.
Definitions
The “American Academy of Family Physicians” (AAFP) defines polypharmacy as the
constant utilization of at least five medications (Halli-Tierney, Scarbrough, & Carroll, 2019;
World Health Organization, 2019). In another definition, the “World Health Organization
(WHO)” elucidates polypharmacy as the “administration of many drugs at the same time or the
administration of an excessive nu...
