Nursing Interventions for Older Patients to Prevent Problems Caused by Multiple Drug Interactions

Nursing Interventions for Older Patients to Prevent Problems Caused by Multiple Drug Interactions Lasix is a loop diuretic that facilitates water and sodium excretion by interfering with the chloride-binding cotransport system. This hinders the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the ascending loop of Henle, and distal renal tubule, and lower preload in CHF (Oparil et al., 2019). Vasotec hinders the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, causing elevated plasma renin levels and reduced aldosterone secretion. This lowers blood pressure and improves HF symptoms. Lopressor is a selective beta-1-adrenergic blocker that competitively blocks beta1-receptors at low doses and blocks beta2-receptors at higher doses (Oparil et al., 2019). It is used in HF because it lowers cardiac output through negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. Morphine is an opioid analgesic that blocks the ascending pain pathways altering pain response. It produces analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression. ProAir HFA is a Beta 2 Agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscles and is indicated to alleviate acute bronchospasms (Nici et al., 2020). Flovent HFA is an inhalant corticosteroid with an anti-inflammatory effect on eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells, and mediators Older adults are significantly affected by multiple drug interactions due to polypharmacy since they have comorbid health conditions. Nursing interventions to prevent drug interactions include medication reconciliation, which entails identifying and documenting all drugs a patient takes and comparing the list with the physician’s orders (Kurczewska-Michalak et al., 2021). The nurse can also note a patient’s coexisting conditions and medications and assess the possibility of resulting i