Fall 2014
Assignment Questions
- Identify TWO medications that the doctor might prescribe to you to help relieve the pain you complain of in your legs? Describe what each of these medications is prescribed for, the form they are available in, their side effects, possible adverse effects and the contraindications. You MUST choose medications that would be safe for you, the client to use (consider the current health issues). (8 marks)
Pain medications help relieve pain and can have side-effects. Acetaminophen is an example of a common pain reliever. NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and narcotics are other types of pain medications. These different types of pain medications help treat different types of pain i.e. acute or chronic pain of different intensities. In certain cases medications are injected directly into a nerve to interrupt the pain signal (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/pain.html).
The patient most probably has chronic pain in the legs based on the symptoms and developmental disability. Aspirin can help with the pain in the patient’s legs by interfering with pain messages in the body. Aspirin can also help by reducing associated inflammation that can worsen the pain (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/aspirin.html). Codeine is an opioid pain medication and sometimes called a narcotic. It needs to be taken exactly as prescribed. It is used for moderate to severe pain management in adult patients who are not allergic to it or asthmatic (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/codeine.html).
Alternate chronic pain management techniques that do not use drugs may also help the patient in the long run. These non-drug options include massage, relaxation, acupuncture, psychotherapy and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/pain.html).
- Describe the health teaching that your support worker Olivia would be required to give you (the client) based on the medications used in question 1. Describe how Olivia would teach you about these medications and know that you understand the information she has provided. (4 marks)
Olivia would need to teach the patient how to take aspirin and codeine correctly on a daily basis for pain management. These medications are available in tablet form and need to be taken exactly as directed by the prescribing physician. Aspirin can cause allergic reactions such as hives, facial swelling, asthma and shock (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/pro/aspirin.html).
Codeine should not be taken if the patient has frequent asthma attacks or hyperventilation Codeine can stop or slow breathing and should never be taken in larger doses or for longer than required. The side effects of blurred vision, chills, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness can occur as a result of taking codeine (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/codeine.html).
- Describe how Olivia (or other support workers) would know that your blood pressure is high? What would she observe with you? (4 marks)
Olivia would measure the patient’s blood pressure by using a blood pressure meter or sphygmomanometer on a daily basis or as often as required. A small pressure gauge attached to an inflatable cuff is placed around the patient’s arm to measure blood pressure and it is painless. A high reading above normal value of 120/80 is indicative of pre-hypertension and higher blood pressure values of more than 140/90 indicating hypertension. Depending on the blood pressure reading Olivia would know if the patient’s blood pressure is high (Ref: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/).
- What medication might be prescribed for your high blood pressure? Describe how the drug would work to lower your blood pressure. Outline the potential dangers when using this drug. Be sure to include the health teaching information that the patient is required to know. (6 marks)
Benicar (olmesartan) is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It keeps blood vessels from narrowing which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Benicar should be used as directed and can be taken with or without food. It is possible to have low blood pressure when taking this medicine. It is important to store the medication properly at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. Benicar is not to be taken by patients who have diabetes or kidney disease. Diabetic patients should not take Benicar. Potassium supplements or salt substitutes should not be used when taking Benicar unless the doctor has advised it (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/benicar.html). These substitutes may affect the action of Benicar and make it less effective.
A common side-effect of Benicar is dizziness. If the patient has an allergic reaction to Benicar then emergency medical help is required as quickly as possible. It is important to inform the doctor if the patient experiences light-headed feeling, little or no urination, severe or ongoing diarrhea with weight loss, chest pain, fast heart rate or swelling in the hands and feet. Benicar can interact with other medications such as lithium, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs and colesevelam. It can also interact with several other prescriptions and over the counter products including vitamins and herbal products. Therefore it is very important to inform the doctor about all other products or medications that the patient is taking (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/benicar.html).
CITE SOURCES FOR CHART INFORMATION
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/benadryl-cream.html
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/hydrocortisone-topical.html
- Create a prescription label and instructions for each medication that you have written about in this assignment (you should have chosen 4 medications in this entire assignment). Be sure to include all required parts of a prescription. Be sure the instructions are clear because Olivia has just told you that she will be away for two weeks and another new staff (only one month with the agency) will be covering for her. (6 marks)
The 4 medications that the patient needs to take are Aspirin, Codeine, Hydrocortisone topical cream and Benicar. Aspirin and Codeine are for pain management. Hydrocortisone topical cream is for treatment of skin irritation and Benicar is for the treatment of high blood pressure/hypertension.
Aspirin: Aspirin for pain maybe taken as 325mg to 650mg doses orally every 4 hours as needed. The total daily intake should not exceed 4g per day of aspirin (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/dosage/aspirin.html#Usual_Adult_Dose_for_Pain). Codeine: The usual dose prescribed is a 30mg tablet for codeine. Codeine is an opiod medication and can be addictive. Thus, the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time should be used only on a as needed basis (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/codeine.html).
Hydrocortisone topical cream; Hydrocortisone as topical cream, ointment, gel, solution or lotion can be applied to the affected skin areas 2-4 times daily (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/hydrocortisone-topical.html).
Benicar: The usual starting dose is 20 mg once daily for Benicar when used as monotherapy in patients who are not volume-contracted. The dosage must be individualized. After 2 weeks of therapy the dose may be increased to 40mg if further reduction in blood pressure is required. Twice daily dosing gives no advantage over the same total dosage given once daily. If blood pressure is not controlled by Benicar alone then a diuretic may be added. Benicar can also be administered with other antihypertensive agents (Ref: http://www.drugs.com/benicar.html).
REFERENCES:
http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/pain.html
http://www.drugs.com/aspirin.html
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/aspirin.html#Usual_Adult_Dose_for_Pain
http://www.drugs.com/codeine.html
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/benadryl-cream.html
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/hydrocortisone-topical.html
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/
http://www.drugs.com/benicar.html
