A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving long-term treatment with oral doses of prednisone. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor?

To calculate the rate at which the IV pump should be set to deliver dopamine, we need to determine the total amount of dopamine in the infusion and divide it by the desired dose per minute.

Given:

Dopamine concentration: 400 mg in 250 mL

Desired dose: 5 mcg/kg/min

Patient weight: 220 lb

First, we need to convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms:

220 lb ÷ 2.2 = 100 kg

Next, we need to calculate the total amount of dopamine needed per minute:

5 mcg/kg/min × 100 kg = 500 mcg/min

Now, we need to convert the dopamine dose from mcg to mg:

500 mcg/min ÷ 1000 = 0.5 mg/min

To determine the infusion rate in mL/hr, we divide the dose in mg/min by the dopamine concentration in the infusion solution:

0.5 mg/min ÷ 250 mL = 0.002 mL/min

Finally, we convert the infusion rate from mL/min to mL/hr by multiplying by 60:

0.002 mL/min × 60 min = 0.12 mL/hr

Therefore, the nurse should set the IV pump to deliver 0.12 mL/hr.

The nurse should include in the teaching that hydrochlorothiazide therapy can elevate blood glucose levels in clients who have diabetes. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic commonly used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). While it is effective in reducing blood pressure, it can sometimes cause adverse effects on blood glucose levels, particularly in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

Hydrochlorothiazide can cause an increase in blood glucose levels by reducing insulin sensitivity, leading to potential hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in some individuals. Clients with diabetes should closely monitor their blood glucose levels while taking hydrochlorothiazide and inform their healthcare provider if they notice significant changes.

Let's go through the other options:

A. "Blood glucose monitoring is likely to be inaccurate while taking hydrochlorothiazide": This statement is not accurate. Hydrochlorothiazide does not directly affect the accuracy of blood glucose monitoring. However, it is essential for clients with diabetes to be aware of the potential impact of hydrochlorothiazide on their blood glucose levels.

B. "You might need to decrease your insulin dosage while taking hydrochlorothiazide": Hydrochlorothiazide can potentially elevate blood glucose levels, which may require adjustments in diabetes management, including insulin dosage. However, it is not accurate to state that all clients will need to decrease their insulin dosage while taking hydrochlorothiazide. Each client's response to the medication may vary, and adjustments to diabetes medications should be made under the guidance of their healthcare provider based on individual blood glucose monitoring.

D. "Reducing sodium in your diet can help control your blood glucose while taking hydrochlorothiazide": While reducing sodium in the diet is generally a beneficial recommendation for individuals with hypertension, it is not directly related to controlling blood glucose levels in clients with diabetes. The primary focus for individuals with diabetes taking hydrochlorothiazide should be on monitoring blood glucose levels and working with their healthcare provider to manage any changes related to the medication.