Pharmacology: A Case Study in Polypharmacy

Case Study: Mrs A is a 71 year old widow with CCF and osteoarthritis who has recently been exhibiting quite unusual behaviour. Her daughter is concerned about her mother's ability to remain independent and wishes to pursue nursing home admission arrangements. She fears the development of a dementing illness. Over the last two to three months Mrs A has become confused, easily fatigued and very irritable. She has developed disturbing obsessive/compulsive behaviour constantly complaining that …

…S & Manias, E, Ed 2001, Fundamentals of Pharmacology. A textbook for nurses and allied health professionals. Australia: Addison-Wesley Loeb, S. 2001, Nursing 2001 Drug Handbook. Pennsylvania: Springhouse Corporation Loebl, S, Spratto, G & Woods, A, Ed 1994, The Nurse's Drug Handbook. Delaware: Delmar Publishers Inc. McKenry, L & Salerno, E, Ed 1989, Mosby's Pharmacology in Nursing St Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company MIMS Annual 2000 Ed 24. Sydney: MediMedia Australia My Doctor http://www.mydr.com.au