Table 2.
Test of pharmacists’ knowledge of psychotropic medication use in geriatric patients
| Statement | Response distribution |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True | False | I don’t know | |||
| Statements related to dosage | |||||
| 1.Due to changed metabolism and a higher sensitivity, older persons need a lower dose of antipsychotics or benzodiazepines in order to get the same effect. | 286 (71.5) | 87 (21.8) | 27 (6.8) | ||
| 2.The recommended daily dosage of olanzapine (Zyprexa) is 50 to 100 mg in older people with severe behavioral disorders in dementia. | 175 (43.8) | 159 (39.8) | 66 (16.5) | ||
| 3.The recommended daily dose of risperidone (Risperdal) is 0.5 to 2 mg in older people with severe behavioral disorders in dementia. | 279 (69.8) | 85 (21.3) | 36 (9.0) | ||
| 4.Ageing is associated with physiological changes in the sleeping pattern. To reverse these changes in the sleep pattern, hypnosedative medications may be used in low dose during a short period. | 279 (69.8) | 89 (22.3) | 32 (8.0) | ||
| Statements related to selection of appropriate medications | |||||
| 5.With the exception of delirium tremens, antipsychotics are preferred above benzodiazepines for sedating older patients with severe agitation or delirium. | 256 (64.0) | 81 (20.3) | 63 (15.8) | ||
| 6.Antipsychotic medications can have a place in the treatment of delirium. | 298 (74.5) | 66 (16.5) | 36 (9.0) | ||
| 7.Antipsychotic medications reduce such symptoms as delusions and hallucinations. | 288 (72.0) | 82 (20.5) | 30 (7.5) | ||
| 8.In the care of older adults with dementia, antipsychotic medications are preferred over behavior-oriented therapy. | 222 (55.5) | 134 (33.5) | 44 (11.0) | ||
| 9.Only in severe cases of sleeplessness and failure of alternative therapies with proven effectiveness, hypnosedatives can be administrated for a short period of time in the old. | 294 (73.5) | 76 (19.0) | 30 (7.5) | ||
| 10.The effects of diazepam (Valium), a benzodiazepine, can last for a long time (up to 300 hours), making it not proper to use in this age category. | 212 (53.0) | 112 (28.0) | 76 (19.0) | ||
| 11.Next to non-pharmacological therapies, hypnosedatives are to be used for treatment and minimization of the symptoms of anxiety disorders. | 339 (84.8) | 36 (9.0) | 25 (6.3) | ||
| Statements related to side effects | |||||
| 12.Use of hypnosedatives can lead to physical and emotional dependency. | 314 (78.5) | 61 (15.3) | 25 (6.3) | ||
| 13.Long-term (3 months or above) intake of antipsychotic medications increases the risk for cerebrovascular accidents. | 217 (54.3) | 126 (31.5) | 57 (14.3) | ||
| 14.Antipsychotic medications can cause side effects in the old such as disorientation, urine retention, dry mouth, and blurred vision. | 334 (83.5) | 43 (10.8) | 23 (5.8) | ||
| 15.Long-term intake (3 months or above) of atypical antipsychotic medications can lead to an increase in weight. | 268 (67.0) | 81 (20.3) | 51 (12.8) | ||
| 16.Patients starting on antipsychotic medication are susceptible to postural hypotension. | 237 (59.3) | 114 (28.5) | 49 (12.3) | ||
| 17.One of the side effects of Haloperidol (Haldol) is akathisia, which manifests with constant pacing and restlessness. | 250 (62.5) | 89 (22.3) | 61 (15.3) | ||
| 18.There is a connection between long-term (3 months or above) intake of antipsychotic medications and the prevalence of falls in the old. | 251 (62.8) | 67 (16.8) | 82 (20.5) | ||
| 19.Benzodiazepines can lead to side effects in the old like confusion, memory and concentration disorders. | 303 (75.8) | 62 (15.5) | 35 (8.8) | ||
Values are presented as number (%). Correct answers are in boldface.