Older adults often take multiple medications, whether taking pills, injections, or using inhalers, and can need medication several times a day every day. Nurses are instrumental in educating on medication administration, potential side effects, multiple medication interactions, and storage.
Research at the University of Chicago found that when nurses work with patients to create simple charts to show which medications are taken at different times a day, patients are less confused about their medications, and therefore take medications more accurately.
The Food and Drug Administration has developed a new Web site where nurses and patients can check safety data on a particular drug, report potential medication problems, get information on disposal of drugs, and much more (Link below).
