Polypharmacy

The use of multiple medications by one patient, which raises the risk of interactions, side effects, and adherence problems, especially in older people.

Recognising polypharmacy and suggesting a medication review reflects safe, holistic prescribing in elderly and complex patients.

More glossary terms

ABCDE approachA systematic method for assessing and treating an acutely unwell patient — Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — dealing with each before moving on.
AMPLE historyA focused emergency history — Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events — taken quickly in acute situations.
ARCPThe annual assessment that decides whether a doctor in training has met the competencies to progress to the next stage.
AVPU scaleA rapid way to grade consciousness — Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive — used in initial assessment.

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Rehearse PLAB 2 stations with AI simulated patients and get structured feedback after every consultation.

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