Donepezil and Cognitive Dysfunction Medications Quiz

Dosage Information for Donepezil and Related Drugs

• Older adults are more susceptible to adverse drug effects due to age-related physiologic changes and underlying health conditions.
• Liver disease can impair the hepatic metabolism of donepezil, leading to increased adverse effects, necessitating careful monitoring of liver function and clinical response.
• Donepezil is used in critical illness to reduce cognitive dysfunction, particularly in critically ill patients who may have delirium, a form of acute cognitive dysfunction.
• Patients with Alzheimer's disease receiving home care may have difficulty with medication administration, necessitating collaboration with responsible family members to ensure accurate drug administration.
• Common adverse effects of donepezil include headache, dizziness, depression, vertigo, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal muscle cramps, anorexia, GI bleeding, breathing problems, fainting, heart disease, dyspnea, fatigue, anorexia, seizures, and trouble urinating.
• Contraindications to donepezil include hypersensitivity to the drug, lung disease, and heart disease such as sick sinus syndrome.
• Many medications interact with donepezil, either increasing or decreasing its effects.
• Before administering donepezil, the nurse should assess the patient for allergy, orientation, and contraindications, and administer the medication at bedtime each day.
• Nurses should carefully assess for therapeutic effects, including improved memory and reduction of dementia, as well as adverse effects such as GI upset and GI bleeding.
• Patient teaching guidelines for donepezil include taking the drug as prescribed, placing orally disintegrating tablet on the tongue, continuing the drug even if no change in symptoms is noted, arranging regular blood tests and follow-up visits, and reporting specific side effects to the healthcare provider.
• Galantamine hydrobromide is a drug similar to donepezil, used for mild to moderate dementia and vascular dementia, with contraindications for severe hepatic or renal impairment.
• Patients and families should receive instructions about reporting any changes in mental status when taking galantamine hydrobromide.

Test your knowledge of dosage information, adverse effects, contraindications, and patient teaching guidelines for donepezil and related drugs used in the management of cognitive dysfunction and dementia, particularly in older adults. This quiz covers important considerations for administering these medications and monitoring patient response.