Nursing Pharmacology: Case Study on Diabetes and Alzheimer's Treatment

This nursing pharmacology assignment provides answers to questions regarding a patient, Gami, who is taking multiple medications and supplements. The assignment explores the use of herbal supplements like Panax ginseng and Cassia cinnamon for managing diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. It analyzes the potential benefits and risks of these supplements, including their impact on blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and cognitive function. The assignment also addresses the importance of informing healthcare professionals about all medications and supplements, particularly when undergoing tests like the PT-INR. Additionally, it discusses alternative medications, such as Rivastigmine, for managing Alzheimer's symptoms. The solution references several research studies to support the recommendations and conclusions. The assignment emphasizes the importance of understanding drug interactions and providing patient-centered care.

Running head: NURSING PHARMACOLOGY
Nursing Pharmacology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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NURSING PHARMACOLOGY
Answer: 1
Yes. I would encourage her continued use of alternative supplements for diabetes and
memory. This is because both the two supplements are herbal supplements and are free of
adverse side effects. Panax ginseng is a traditional herb that is used for more than 1000 years
to assist memory enhancement (Lee et al., 2013). It also has antidepressant, anti-anxiety
properties. The study of the molecular mechanism of ginseng has been found to improve the
conditions of the patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease via modulating the beta-
amyloid fibrils deposition (Ong et al., 2015), The case study gives direct evidence that Gami
is suffering from Type 2 diabetes which is in turn associated with increase in the
susceptibility of cardiovascular complications and depression (Shah et al., 2015). Ginseng has
been found to reduce the chances of stroke and oxidative stress and depression and hence
ginseng is permissible as supplement for Gami (Chen et al., 2013). Moreover, Gami is also
suffering from Alzheimer as she is taking Aricept which further proves the authenticity
behind the use of ginseng. Use of Cassia Cinamon is associated with the significant decrease
in fasting blood glucose level, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol)
with increase in the concentration high density lipoprotein (HDL or good cholesterol) (Allen
et al., 2013). Thus cinomon is a potential therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and
hence use of cinnamon as supplement in Gami’s pharmaceutical plan is permissible
(Ranasinghe et al., 2012).
Answer: 2
If Gami is asked to perfrom PT-INR (Prothrombin Time-International Normalized
Ratio) test then Gami should inform that she is taking Coumadin as a part of anti-coagulant
therapy in order to prevent thrombosis (Arbring, Uppugunduri & Lindahl, 2013).

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NURSING PHARMACOLOGY
Answer: 3
Aricept (Donepezil) is used to treat all stages of Alzheimer starting from moderate to
severe. However, if Gami has moderate stage of Alzheimer of dementia then she may take
Rivastigmine (Exelon) as it also fights against oxidative stress (Pohanka, 2014; Howard et al.,
2012).

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NURSING PHARMACOLOGY
References
Allen, R. W., Schwartzman, E., Baker, W. L., Coleman, C. I., & Phung, O. J. (2013).
Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-
analysis. The Annals of Family Medicine, 11(5), 452-459.
Arbring, K., Uppugunduri, S., & Lindahl, T. L. (2013). Comparison of prothrombin time
(INR) results and main characteristics of patients on warfarin treatment in primary
health care centers and anticoagulation clinics. BMC health services research, 13(1),
85.
Chen, P. C., Chan, Y. T., Chen, H. F., Ko, M. C., & Li, C. Y. (2013). Population-based
cohort analyses of the bidirectional relationship between type 2 diabetes and
depression. Diabetes care, 36(2), 376-382.
Howard, R., McShane, R., Lindesay, J., Ritchie, C., Baldwin, A., Barber, R., ... & Hughes, A.
(2012). Donepezil and memantine for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. New
England Journal of Medicine, 366(10), 893-903.
Lee, C. H., Kim, J. M., Kim, D. H., Park, S. J., Liu, X., Cai, M., ... & Ryu, J. H. (2013).
Effects of Sun ginseng on memory enhancement and hippocampal
neurogenesis. Phytotherapy Research, 27(9), 1293-1299.
Ong, W. Y., Farooqui, T., Koh, H. L., Farooqui, A. A., & Ling, E. A. (2015). Protective
effects of ginseng on neurological disorders. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 7, 129.
Pohanka, M. (2014). Alzheimer s disease and oxidative stress: a review. Current medicinal
chemistry, 21(3), 356-364.

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Ranasinghe, P., Jayawardana, R., Galappaththy, P., Constantine, G. R., de Vas Gunawardana,
N., & Katulanda, P. (2012). Efficacy and safety of ‘true’cinnamon (Cinnamomum
zeylanicum) as a pharmaceutical agent in diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐
analysis. Diabetic medicine, 29(12), 1480-1492.
Shah, A. D., Langenberg, C., Rapsomaniki, E., Denaxas, S., Pujades-Rodriguez, M., Gale, C.
P., ... & Hemingway, H. (2015). Type 2 diabetes and incidence of cardiovascular
diseases: a cohort study in 1· 9 million people. The lancet Diabetes &
endocrinology, 3(2), 105-113.