CASE STUDY 1
Medication Administration
Clara is 65-year-old women presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of
shortness of breath on exertion. She reported that her condition is getting worse for the past 2
days, and she came into the hospital today because she was having trouble walking from the
bedroom to the bathroom, approximately 10 meters.
Past medical history (PMH): Angina (diagnosed 12 years ago), three myocardial infarctions.
Her body mass index is 34 kg/m². She has smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for the past 47
years. She admits to minimal exercise; and, due to financial reasons, she eats fast food up to 5
days per week. Clara has brought her current medications with her and, when you ask her about
her dosage, frequency and reason for taking them, she says that she takes one of each every
morning and knows most of them are for her heart.
Current medication regimen:
- Furosemide 40 mg, PO, Twice a day
- Enalapril 5 mg, PO, BID
- Telmisartan 20 mg, PO, daily
- Carvedilol 12.5 mg, PO, BID with food
- Digoxin 0.25 mg, PO, BID
- Potassium Chloride 10 meq (3 tablets), PO, daily
- Atorvastatin 40 mg, PO, daily
- Acetaminophen 650 mg, PO, PRN, Q 8 hours for pain
- Metoclopramide 10 mg, PO, PRN
1. From the information Clara has given, what is the most prominent risk factor exhibited
for improper use of medications?
a. Lack of knowledge regarding the actions of the prescribed medications.
b. Bringing her medications with her to the hospital.
c. Admitting to having financial difficulties at home.
d. Living at home alone.
Rationale: HL is a complex concept involving the capacity to obtain and understand basic
health information. It is also incorporates the cognitive and social skills that determine the
motivation and ability of people to make use of the information and health services. Clara is an
ex of person with a chronic illness, meaning her need to access information R/T her condition
and its treatment is paramount to positive outcomes. Exhibiting a lack of knowledge about the
medications she is taking demonstrates high risk for non-compliance with her medication
regimen.
2. Polypharmacy involves the concurrent use of five or more medications by a client at one
time. What are some potential problems Clara is facing?
a. The drugs may interact with each other producing toxic effects.
Medication Administration
Clara is 65-year-old women presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of
shortness of breath on exertion. She reported that her condition is getting worse for the past 2
days, and she came into the hospital today because she was having trouble walking from the
bedroom to the bathroom, approximately 10 meters.
Past medical history (PMH): Angina (diagnosed 12 years ago), three myocardial infarctions.
Her body mass index is 34 kg/m². She has smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for the past 47
years. She admits to minimal exercise; and, due to financial reasons, she eats fast food up to 5
days per week. Clara has brought her current medications with her and, when you ask her about
her dosage, frequency and reason for taking them, she says that she takes one of each every
morning and knows most of them are for her heart.
Current medication regimen:
- Furosemide 40 mg, PO, Twice a day
- Enalapril 5 mg, PO, BID
- Telmisartan 20 mg, PO, daily
- Carvedilol 12.5 mg, PO, BID with food
- Digoxin 0.25 mg, PO, BID
- Potassium Chloride 10 meq (3 tablets), PO, daily
- Atorvastatin 40 mg, PO, daily
- Acetaminophen 650 mg, PO, PRN, Q 8 hours for pain
- Metoclopramide 10 mg, PO, PRN
1. From the information Clara has given, what is the most prominent risk factor exhibited
for improper use of medications?
a. Lack of knowledge regarding the actions of the prescribed medications.
b. Bringing her medications with her to the hospital.
c. Admitting to having financial difficulties at home.
d. Living at home alone.
Rationale: HL is a complex concept involving the capacity to obtain and understand basic
health information. It is also incorporates the cognitive and social skills that determine the
motivation and ability of people to make use of the information and health services. Clara is an
ex of person with a chronic illness, meaning her need to access information R/T her condition
and its treatment is paramount to positive outcomes. Exhibiting a lack of knowledge about the
medications she is taking demonstrates high risk for non-compliance with her medication
regimen.
2. Polypharmacy involves the concurrent use of five or more medications by a client at one
time. What are some potential problems Clara is facing?
a. The drugs may interact with each other producing toxic effects.
