In: Nursing
Mr. Green is 75 years old and in the doctor's office for his first checkup after being prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) once daily and chlorothiazide (Diuril) two times a day (BID) for congestive heart failure. He still has some signs of heart failure and has admitted that he sometimes forgets to take his pills. He also has trouble reading the labels and isn't sure which pill he is supposed to take again at night.
Their are many ways to make a patient more compliant to drugs. Here when we consider, the patients age, he is 75 and may have associated old age problems such as forget fulness, reading difficulty etc. According to the prescription Digoxin to be taken once daily.Digoxin is usually taken once a day. Advice the patient to take it at the same time every day. So A regular alarm can be set in the smart phone, which will remind the patient regarding the intake of tablet on time. As he has to take the second medication DIURIL an ANTIHYPERTENSIVE drug, he can take both these tablets on time.
Also advise the care giver of the patient to assist him in medicine administarion on time. Medication boxes are available, so that the caring nurse or the physician can arrange the medications for both night and day seperately in each empty spaces in th box and educate him, when to consume each tablets. Thats also a better way, so that the patient never misses his tablets.
Keep the patients Instructions in Simple way. Some patients may neglect to follow their care plan because they simply don't understand it.Make sure that Mr. GREEN AND HIS CARE GIVER CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE instructions given regarding the drug administration. A print out of the treatment plan and drug regimen can be taken out in big letters and this can be attached in patients room.
Build a good rapport with Mr. Green and educate them about, the adverse effct may happen if drugs are not taken on time.Motivate them and encourage them for their achievements. Advice the patient to call hos physician or nurse in case of any emergency. And they can bring their medications to the physician at the time of visit.
Advise the patient to follow a medication diary in which details regarding medication intake can be mentioned like time of consumption, if they missed the dose etc. Also advise the patient to not to stop the medications without the physicians permission. For the easy understanding for the patient,The medication coverings can be made, big, small or in different colours..This to be clearly explained to the patient also.