Teaching Plan Patient Name: Mr. M

Age: 52 years old

Brief: Patient suffers from uncontrolled hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Patient has no other medical history. Patient also has no allergies, and has not been taking any medications previously.

A: Learning Need Assessment

This teaching plan is based on the premise that although the diagnosis as well as proper treatment of a disease are of great relevance to the prognosis of a patient, there is need for the patient to be well informed on not only when and how to take the prescribed medications, but also the said medications’ therapeutic actions and side effects. As a matter of fact, various studies have clearly indicated that medication teaching has a positive impact on both compliance and outcomes.

· In essence, “hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD)” (Wong, Lopez, and Williams, 2006). In that regard, therefore, the relevance of improved treatment outcomes cannot be overstated in this particular case. Patient education would facilitate patient involvement in the treatment plan – effectively improving outcomes (both physiological and psychological).

· Mr. M. is returning home. In essence, perceived patient understanding in the hospital setting does not guarantee adherence to the treatment or drug regimen when at home (Marcus, 2014). More specifically, in the words of the author, “even if the patient appears to understand the teaching during a verbal consultation, this does not assure the ability for self-care when the patient goes home” (Marcus, 2014). Teaching of Mr. M. about his medications would, therefore, be of great relevance during my home visit.

· Despite being a good English speaker, Mr. M. has sixth grade education. This effectively means that he may lack the appropriate grasp of not only the therapeutic...

Medication teaching would come in handy on this front. Research has in the past indicated that patients leaving hospital often have little, if any, information on drug interactions, adverse effects, as well as when to call for emergency services (Alfandre, 2009).
B: Instructional Approach

Medication training will in this case target not only the patient, but also his caregivers and family. I will begin by establishing rapport with Mr. M. so as to stimulate his interest. I will also get to list down all his concerns regarding the various aspects of his treatment. Further, I will encourage him to ask questions at specific points during my presentation so as to enhance his grasp of all the relevant concepts. Caregivers too will be encouraged to seek the relevant clarifications.

C: Medications

1. Metoprolol 75mg PO BID

Indications: a beta-blocker utilized in hypertension treatment

Dosage: a single dose – 100mg/day PO. Drug should be taken at the same time on a daily basis, i.e. in the morning. Patient must stick to the recommended dosage and must not take the medication in smaller or larger doses. Drug must not be stopped suddenly. If a dose is skipped, it must be taken as soon as it is possible – but not at about the same time as the next dose.

Therapeutic actions: decreased blood pressure

Side effects: could cause drowsiness, weakness and fatigue. In addition to blurred vision, it could also cause mild rash or itching. Other side effects include loss of memory and diarrhea. Patient will be advised to be careful when engaging in activities that need a high level of alertness.

Call 911 in case of: overdose, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and slowed heartbeat.

Drug interactions: should not be used with clonidine, diltiazem, or verapamil as this could increase the risk…