Effects of drug therapy on renal function of healthy older adults

Older adults and NSAIDs: avoiding adverse reactions

Monitoring which medications geriatric patients are taking is crucial to their health and well-being. Many take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on a daily basis for common ailments. Even when taken correctly, these drugs can harm the elderly because of normal changes that occur as people age. Techniques to monitor this population and their use of these medications are included to help nurses assist patients avoid adverse reactions and complications. This information can be valuable whether you are a nurse working in a hospital, office, nursing home, assisted living facility, or any setting where care is rendered to the elderly.

The effect of xanthines on fluid balance

To determine whether drinks containing caffeine and theophylline cause more fluid loss than equivalent amounts of non-xanthine drinks, a convenience sample of 30 adults between the ages of 57 and 81 was selected. Subjects were picked for 2 groups: those who had developed tolerance to these xanthines and used them freely (the X Group) and those who habitually omitted drinks containing xanthines from their diets (the NO X Group). Both groups consumed approximately 2 liters of fluid daily for 5 days. When overall means were compared by analysis of variance, the two groups did not differ on serum osmolality for Day 5, change in serum osmolality (from Day 0 to Day 5), adjusted I/O ratio, percent weight change from Day 0, or percent weight change from previous day. Analysis of the same variables on a daily basis indicated that the X group was better hydrated on Day 4.

Urinary incontinence: treatments, interventions, and outcomes

The central theme of this article is the development of clinical outcomes and interventions by CNSs to enhance the quality of care provided by nurses. This was done using findings from three funded research projects conducted by the authors. The outcomes begin with measurable nursing diagnoses and continue with searches for remedial risk factors, assessment, and remedies. The interventions encourage responsible behaviors by elders that are individualized prevention and/or treatments for a given diagnosis. A brief synopsis of the research results is included.