Healthcare the Exelon Patch and Article Critique

Total Length: 1370 words ( 5 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 5

.

4. What is the advantage of a "patch"?

Evidently, the drug rivastigmine causes gastrointestinal side effects, but the patch allows only a small amount to be steadily absorbed into the bloodstream and thus creates fewer negative reactions to the drug. The Novartis website makes the case for a patch over a pill by saying "On average, an older American takes 5 prescription medicines. These medicines may need to be taken at different times and managing them all may seem overwhelming" (Novartis, para. 1). In this case, a patch eliminates having to remember several doses each day of one of the medications.

5. What is "moderate" dementia? What is dementia?

Dementia affects brain function. There is no known cure for dementia. It refers to several illnesses (Alzheimer's disease, Lewy or DLB) involving behavior, memory, communication and learning problems. There are other conditions in the brain which damage nerves or blood vessels, which also can create dementia. Dementia diseases are usually progressive, so "moderate" dementia usually refers to the beginning stages of the illness.

6. What are the implications of the health issue from an economic, social, lifestyle, legal, political, medical and ethical standpoint?

Treating a patient with Alzheimer's disease with rivastigmine may create false hopes in the caregiver's mind, which affects the economic, social, lifestyle, legal, political, medical and ethical considerations of both patient and caregiver. If the drug, which seems to promise delay of full-time care of a progressive disease, does not deliver this delay, the expectations and therefore the planning of future activities and care are deeply affected. Liability increases on the part of diagnostician, the one prescribing the drug and the administrator.

Stuck Writing Your "Healthcare the Exelon Patch And" Article Critique?

The political ramifications are multiple, as a body of people prepare for long-term care of millions of affected patients. Much time and money is being spent by the government to determine whether this drug affects the millions who take it in a positive way.

7. What circumstances contributed to this being a current health care issue?

The drug companies seem to promise that this drug is a cure-all, at the very least delaying full-time care for patients, which it does not. Moreover, at high doses, rivastigmine causes gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and decreased appetite. Therefore, a patient should start with a low dose and increasing the dose to the next level after a minimum of four weeks of treatment. One must remember, also, to apply the patch every day. If it is not applied daily and is forgotten (which is likely in cases of dementia) for several days, a person should not reapply the patch until they talk with their doctor.

What are the opportunities and challenges this issue poses to my practice in healthcare as a dental hygienist? i.e. how is it a challenge or opportunity for a hygienist?

A person wearing an Exelon patch must not be used at the same time as other medicines that contain cholinomimetic agents, which may be part of the anesthetics that a dental hygienist or dental assistant uses.

Liability issues arise in connection with using the Exelon patch which may affect the work of the hygienist, therefore becoming a challenge to their practice......

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Healthcare The Exelon Patch And" (2008, January 21) Retrieved April 28, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/healthcare-exelon-patch-32770

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Healthcare The Exelon Patch And" 21 January 2008. Web.28 April. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/healthcare-exelon-patch-32770>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Healthcare The Exelon Patch And", 21 January 2008, Accessed.28 April. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/healthcare-exelon-patch-32770