MDS Alert

Care Planning Tip:

Is the Resident With Behavioral Sx Taking Any of These Meds?

These drugs can cause socially inappropriate behaviors, agitation, paranoid delusions.

The Care Area Assessment-specific resource for the Behavioral Symptoms CAA provided by CMS in Appendix C of the RAI User's Manual suggests looking at a number of medications in evaluating the potential cause of behavioral symptoms:

"Antiparkinsonian drugs - may cause hypersexuality, socially inappropriate behavior

Sedatives, centrally active antihypertensives, some cardiac drugs, anticholinergic agents can cause paranoid delusions, delirium

Bronchodilators or other respiratory drugs, which can increase agitation and cause difficulty sleeping

Caffeine

Nicotine

Medications that impair impulse control, such as benzodiazepines, sedatives, alcohol (or any product containing alcohol, such as some cough medicine)."

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