A nurse is planning to teach a client about taking prednisone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Take on an empty stomach.
Schedule dosage at bedtime.
Increase dietary calcium.
Monitor for weight loss.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Prednisone should generally be taken with food or after a meal to reduce the risk of gastric irritation or ulcer formation. Taking it on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, such as gastritis or peptic ulcers.
B. While some medications are best taken at bedtime (such as those with sedative effects), prednisone is a corticosteroid that can affect the body's circadian rhythm and may interfere with sleep. It typically causes insomnia or restlessness, so it’s usually advised to take it in the morning.
C. Prednisone and other corticosteroids can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis) over time, especially with long-term use. One of the side effects of corticosteroid therapy is decreased calcium absorption and bone density loss, making individuals at higher risk for fractures.
D. Prednisone more commonly causes weight gain rather than weight loss. Corticosteroids increase appetite and can lead to fluid retention, both of which can result in weight gain. Additionally, prednisone can cause redistribution of fat, often leading to characteristic side effects like "moon face" or increased abdominal fat.
B. Incorrect. Prednisone is often prescribed as a single daily dose in the morning to coincide with the body's natural cortisol release.
C. Incorrect. While calcium supplementation might be necessary for some individuals on long-term prednisone therapy, it is not a primary instruction related to taking prednisone.
D. Correct. Monitoring for weight loss is important due to the potential for weight changes (both weight gain and weight loss) as a result of prednisone's effects on metabolism and appetite.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A.Induration after a Mantoux test is a common response and does not necessarily require follow-up care.
B.A potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L is within the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
C.Sodium phosphate is commonly used for bowel preparation before procedures like colonoscopy.
D.Correct. An INR of 1.8 for a client on warfarin is below the therapeutic range (usually 2.0- 3.0 for most indications), indicating that the client's blood may not be adequately anticoagulated. This requires follow-up to adjust the warfarin dose.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Placing a pillow under the client's knees would not specifically address preventing a compromise in placental blood flow.
B. Reverse Trendelenburg involves tilting the bed so that the head is elevated and the feet are lower. While this position may help with respiratory difficulties (by allowing the diaphragm to expand), it does not address the concern of aortocaval compression, which is critical during pregnancy.
C. The lithotomy position is used for vaginal deliveries and involves placing the client's feet in stirrups, which is not appropriate for a cesarean birth.
D. The wedge position helps maintain blood flow to the placenta by relieving aortocaval compression, thereby improving venous return and placental perfusion. This is particularly important in pregnant clients, where the uterus can exert significant pressure on these blood vessels in the supine position.
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