If the resident does not have a diagnosis of depression, contact the consultant pharmacist or prescriber. Sedative-hypnotic agents require monitoring only if used as a routine medication. If a sedative-hypnotic is prescribed as a scheduled medication and the prescriber will not allow a change to p.r.n. However, most physicians will change the medication to p.r.n. if asked, and the consultant pharmacist can help with appropriate communications. Incidentally, the manufacturers of this drug class do not recommend daily use beyond 10 days, and state surveyors usually will accept this as the standard to be met.
Antianxiety medications fall into the same category as above if used p.r.n.
No additional monitoring is required beyond what is normally provided for as-needed drugs. If the medication is used routinely, the resident only need be diagnosed as having an anxiety or panic disorder. With these, side effects should be charted on the behavior monitoring sheet. Without an appropriate diagnosis, a target behavior must be charted. Antipsychotic drugs are the most regulated group.