A nurse is planning to teach a client about taking prednisone.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Increase dietary calcium.
Monitor for weight loss.
Take on an empty stomach.
Schedule dosage at bedtime.
The Correct Answer is A
Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that can cause bone loss (osteoporosis) by reducing the absorption of calcium and increasing the excretion of calcium in the urine. Therefore, patients taking prednisone should increase their intake of calcium-rich foods or supplements to prevent bone loss and fractures.
Choice B is wrong because prednisone can cause weight gain, not weight loss, by increasing appetite and fluid retention. Patients taking prednisone should monitor their weight and limit their salt and calorie intake.
Choice C is wrong because prednisone should not be taken on an empty stomach, as it can cause stomach irritation, ulcers, or bleeding. Patients taking prednisone should take it with food or milk to protect their stomachs.
Choice D is wrong because prednisone should not be scheduled at bedtime, as it can cause insomnia or difficulty sleeping. Patients taking prednisone should take it in the morning or early afternoon to avoid disrupting their sleep cycle.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This action helps the client feel more comfortable and less intimidated by the nurse. It also allows the nurse to observe the client’s swallowing and signs of aspiration more easily.
Choice A is wrong because talking with the client during her feeding can distract her from swallowing properly and increase the risk of aspiration.
The nurse should encourage the client to focus on eating and avoid conversation until the feeding is over.
Choice B is wrong because discouraging the client from coughing during feedings can prevent her from clearing her airway and expelling any food particles that might have entered the trachea.
The nurse should monitor the client for coughing, choking, or changes in voice quality, which are indicators of aspiration.
Choice C is wrong because instructing the client to lift her chin when swallowing can actually make swallowing more difficult and increase the risk of aspiration.
The nurse should instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing, which helps close off the trachea and direct food into the esophagus.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to inadequate oxygenation of the blood. It is more difficult to detect in people who have dark skin, so the nurse should look for cyanosis in areas where the skin is thinner and the blood supply is richer, such as the palms of the hands, the lips, the gums, and around the eyes.
These areas are less affected by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
Choice A is wrong because an area of trauma may have bruising or inflammation that can mask cyanosis.
Choice B is wrong because the sacrum is not a good site to assess for cyanosis in any skin tone, as it is prone to pressure ulcers and poor circulation.
Choice C is wrong because the shoulders are not a mucous membrane and may have more melanin than other areas of the body.
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