Pharmacology case study
You are caring for an 85 year old female with COPD,CHF, osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism and gerd. She has been complaining of dizziness when getting out of her chair. She has fallen twice in the last month. She has not sustained serious injury at this time. She lives alone. Her daughter helps her with her groceries and adl’s. She has a walker that she uses. She does not want to give up her independence although her daughter would like her to live with her. Her medication list is:
Metoprolol 100mg po bid
Furosemide 80 mg po bid.
Advair 1 puff inh daily
Levothyroxine .112 mcg po daily
Famotidine 20mg po daily
Metformin 500mg po bid
Calcium 800mg po daily
Aldendronate 75mg po weekly
Albuterol 2.5mg inh 4 times daily as needed
Carvedilol 25mg po daily
KCL 40 meq po twice daily
Ibuprofen 600mg po every 8 hours
Physical assessment:
BP: 100/45, pulse 50, RR 20
L/S diminished bilaterally
Weight: 60kg
Heart sounds: S1S2
Edema: trace bilateral
BS: + in all four quadrants
GI/GU last bm 2 days ago stress incontinence
Answer the following questions:
1). What is each of the medications for?
2). What medications interact with each other?
3). What undesired side effects is she experiencing?
4) What recommendations should be made to the provider about her medication list?