Requirements: 

Your initial discussion post should include the following: 

1. Identify and discuss 2-3 definitions of polypharmacy (there are multiple definitions). Your textbook can count as 1 reference. You must also include an additional reference from an evidence–based practice journal article or national guideline. 
2. Identify three risk factors that can lead to polypharmacy. Explain the rationale for why each listed item is a risk factor. Risk factors are different than adverse drug reactions. ADRs can be a result of polypharmacy, and is important, but ADRs are not a risk factor. 
3. Explore three action steps that a provider can take to prevent polypharmacy. 
4. Provide an example of how your clinical preceptors have addressed polypharmacy. 

 Solution:

The definition of polypharmacy varies from one author to another. Even though there is no generally accepted definition, polypharmacy is defined in terms of numerical and descriptive. In terms of descriptive, a range of authors defines polypharmacy as taking 5 or more medications concurrently (Khezrian et al., 2020). Consistent with this definition, Kennedy-Malone et al. (2019) delineate that polypharmacy involves use prescribing five or more drugs. An example of a descriptive definition of polypharmacy is a situation where a patient visits multiple pharmacies for medication and uses medication to correct adverse effects Khezrian et al., 2020)…..To access the solution  click the icon below to purchase at $10