Nursing Students Student Assist
Published Feb 16, 2007
I have looked everywhere for the answer to this question. Why are antihistamines often used in place of sedative-hypnotics for elderly patients? I really cant find this please help
Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP
8 Articles; 4,446 Posts
It's funny how people in this forum want to end their statement by saying that it's not worth the argument when they end with "let's back up our statements with reputable sources". That sounds to me as if someone's asking for an argument with such a comment.
I guess a peer-reviewed medical journal publishing research on the topic is not reputable for some of us in this health care field. And I also infer that the reaction from a well-respected medical institution such as Massachusetts General Hospital recommending against using the drug for sleep induction in the elderly is not to be taken seriously by anyone.
Heck, the study showed that 68 percent of the elderly subjects in the research were perscribed the drug for sleep, but noooo, that is an isolated practice, never heard of that!!!
Frankly, I don't care about the prescriptive practices that other providers employ. I just want to make sure that as an NP, I know what is current and what is safe for my patients. Oh by the way, can I also say this is not worth arguing about?
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Have a wondrous day!