Polypharmacy is a common concern, especially in the elderly.

• List the definitions of polypharmacy you encounter in your readings. There is more than one.
• Discuss three risk factors that can lead to polypharmacy. Explain the rationale for why each listed item is a risk factor. This is different than adverse drug reactions. ADRs can be a result of polypharmacy, and is important, but ADRs are not a risk factor.
• Discuss three action steps that a provider can take to prevent polypharmacy.
• Provide an example of how your clinical preceptors have addressed polypharmacy.

Solution:

Polypharmacy can be described in both numerical and descriptive approaches. Numerically, Masnoon, Shakib, Kalisch-Ellett, and Caughey (2017) define polypharmacy as the use of at least 5 medications daily. In this definition, polypharmacy is described based on the drug classes used by the patient. According to Mortazavi et al. (2016), polypharmacy can also be described by the use of at least 10 medications during the individual’s stay at the hospital. In the descriptive definition of the term, it is centred on the co-prescribing of various medications as well as the long-term or simultaneous use of different medications concurrently. The use of these medications is aimed at treating conditions that coexist thus resulting in the adverse interaction of drugs…..Please click the icon below to purchase full solution at $5