Pharmacology Discussion Post: Polypharmacy and Adverse Drug Interactions in Older Adults

Assessment Context

Course Placement and Assessment Metadata

• Course: Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
• Assessment Type: Discussion Board Post and Peer Responses
• Assessment Number: Week 5 Discussion
• Weighting: 10%
• Initial Post Length: 300–400 words
• Peer Responses: Two responses of 150–200 words each
• Referencing Style: APA 7th edition

Assessment Description

This discussion focuses on polypharmacy and the risk of adverse drug interactions in older adult patients. Students are required to apply pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to evaluate medication-related risks and propose evidence-based nursing interventions. The assessment reflects common clinical scenarios encountered in acute, community, and long-term care settings.

Discussion Prompt

Older adults are frequently prescribed multiple medications to manage chronic conditions, increasing the risk of adverse drug events and clinically significant drug interactions.

1. Describe a patient scenario involving polypharmacy in an older adult with two or more chronic conditions.
2. Identify at least two medications in the regimen that pose a risk for adverse drug interactions or complications.
3. Explain the pharmacological basis for these risks, including age-related pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic changes.
4. Discuss nursing responsibilities for monitoring, patient education, and prevention of medication-related harm.

Peer Response Requirements

• Respond to at least two classmates on separate days.
• Expand on their analysis by offering additional pharmacological insight or alternative nursing interventions.
• Support responses with scholarly evidence where appropriate.

Discussion Participation Guidelines

• Posts must be original, analytical, and clinically focused.
• Use professional nursing language consistent with academic standards.
• Reference at least one peer-reviewed source published within the last 8 years.
• Avoid anecdotal or unsupported claims.

Grading Rubric

Criterion	Exemplary (90–100%)	Proficient (80–89%)	Developing (70–79%)	Beginning (60–69%)	Unsatisfactory (<60%)
Initial Post Content	Comprehensive, accurate, and clinically integrated	Accurate with minor gaps	Basic understanding evident	Limited depth	Inaccurate or incomplete
Pharmacological Reasoning	Clear linkage to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles	Appropriate linkage with minor omissions	General explanation	Minimal reasoning	No pharmacological rationale
Nursing Interventions	Evidence-based and clinically relevant	Relevant interventions identified	General interventions	Limited relevance	Unsafe or inappropriate
Scholarly Support	High-quality, current sources	Adequate scholarly support	Minimal scholarly support	Outdated sources	No scholarly sources
Peer Responses	Insightful, substantive, and evidence-based	Relevant and constructive	Basic engagement	Superficial	Missing or off-topic

An 82-year-old female with hypertension, osteoarthritis, and atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin, ibuprofen, and lisinopril. Concurrent use of warfarin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases bleeding risk due to additive anticoagulant and gastrointestinal effects. Age-related reductions in renal clearance further heighten adverse outcomes. Nursing interventions include medication reconciliation, bleeding surveillance, and patient education on over-the-counter medication avoidance. Evidence shows structured medication reviews significantly reduce adverse drug events in older adults (Maher et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1686).

Suggested Peer-Reviewed References

• Maher, R. L., Hanlon, J., & Hajjar, E. R. (2019). Clinical consequences of polypharmacy in elderly. Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, 179(10), 1336–1345. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1686
• Holford, N. H. G. (2020). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the elderly. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 86(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14161
• Lehne, R. A., Rosenthal, L. D. (2023). Pharmacology for nursing care (11th ed.). Elsevier.
• American Geriatrics Society. (2023). Updated Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(4), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18187

Potential Titles

• Polypharmacy Pharmacology Discussion Post for Nursing Students
• Polypharmacy Risks
• Adverse Drug Interaction Discussion in Nursing Pharmacology
• Medication Safety in Older Adults
• Managing Polypharmacy in Clinical Practice

Meta Descriptions

Word-count version: Post a 300–400-word pharmacology discussion analyzing polypharmacy risks, adverse drug interactions, and nursing interventions using scholarly evidence.

Page-length version: Complete a short discussion post equivalent to a 1–2 page analysis of medication safety in older adults.

Keywords

polypharmacy nursing discussion, pharmacology discussion post, adverse drug interactions, medication safety nursing, nursing pharmacology assignment, older adult pharmacology