*Note
on course proficiencies*
YEAR 4
SEMESTER 1 - 2 - 3
Geriatrics
PHAR 5695
Course Description:
A structured pharmacy experience in an institutional setting dealing
with a geriatric population.
Cr. 6. (0-18)
Prerequisite:
Fourth year standing in the College of Pharmacy or consent of
the instructor.
Course Proficiencies:
The student will be able to:
1. Assume personal responsibility for attaining
excellence in one’s own ability to provide pharmaceutical care
to the elderly.
2. Describe therapeutic drug categories requiring special attention
when used in the treatment of the geriatric patient.
3. Perform and interpret a mini-mental status exam (MMSE) on a
geriatric patient.
4. Identify the 2 most common infectious processes in the long-term
care patient.
5. Discuss barriers to effective communication between elderly
patients and health-care professionals, which may influence medication
compliance.
6. Describe the general principles used in the selection of antimicrobials
in geriatric patients.
7. Calculate the estimated renal function of an elderly patient
using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, and evaluate the limitations
of the equation in relation to a geriatric patient.
8. Outline the pharmacokinetic changes in absorption, distribution,
metabolism and elimination that occur with aging.
9. Use phamacokinetic data (creatinine clearance, fraction of
drug eliminated by the kidney, etc) listed in “Drug Prescribing
in Renal Failure”, “Handbook of Clinical Drug Data”, or other
clinical handbook to adjust drug dosage in a given elderly patient.
10. List factors that place elderly patients at increased risk
for medication-related adverse events.
11. Complete a MedWatch Report for a suspected drug related adverse
event.
12. Collect, assimilate, interpret, and input patient specific
data in a geriatric patient care management database.
13. Using a patient care management database, generate a pharmacotherapy
analysis report.
14. Perform a complete medication history in a geriatric patient.
15. Perform a focused physical examination to monitor a geriatric
patient’s response to drug therapy and absence of adverse effects.
16. Order and interpret appropriate laboratory tests to evaluate
a geriatric patient’s response to drug therapy and absence of
adverse effects.
17. Evaluate and present a critical analysis of a clinical study
involving the elderly population.
18. Recommend OTC and prescription drug therapy that may help
in slowing the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
19. Interview and counsel a patient’s care giver or family member
in the proper drug administration to a patient who cannot care
for himself.
20. Complete an evidence-based pharmacotherapy case report on
a geriatric patient.
