In: Nursing
K.B. is discharged and sees his primary care physician 2 days later. K.B. receives a prescription for donepezil (Aricept) 5 mg PO per night. As you review the prescription with K.B.'s daughter, she tells you that she is "excited" because she did not know there were medications that could cure Alzheimer's disease.
10. How do you respond?
Two weeks later, K.B.'s daughter calls the physician's office and states, "I realize that the Aricept will not cure my dad, but there has been no improvement at all. Are we wasting our money?"
11. What is the best answer for her question?
12. K.B.'s daughter mentions that she has found him out in the front yard and once in the neighbor's yard. What are some interventions that you can suggest to promote safety for K.B.?
12)Safety interventions:
Keep steps safe. Mark the edges of steps with bright tape. Keep steps sturdy and textured to prevent falls.Restrict access to the pool. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, surround it with a fence. Install a gate with a lock. Cover the pool or hot tub when it's not in use.Avoid clutter. Keep hoses, foliage and other debris off the walkways. Restrict to road ways :install gate with lock.Lock all vehicles. Consider covering or removing vehicles and bikes that aren't frequently used.Lock up potentially dangerous items. Install childproof latches or locks on cabinets .Prevent access to potentially dangerous appliances.Lock up breakable or potentially dangerous supplies. Install childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to limit access to items such as cleaning products, alcohol, matches, knives etc.Install a shower chair and grab bars. Place grab bars near the toilet, near the bathtub and in the shower.Address slippery surfaces. Place nonskid strips or a mat in the bathtub and shower.
11)It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to function. This medication is an enzyme blocker that works by restoring the balance of natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. He have mild symptoms . that's why doctor prescribed 5mg.
Aricept is taken at night because it can cause irregular or slow heartbeat for some patients, which can cause fainting. When it is taken at bedtime, patients are able to sleep through those side effects.