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 C
Explanation
A. Incorrect. Urination is not directly related to the evaluation of the effectiveness of a paracentesis procedure.
B. Incorrect. Checking serum albumin levels may be important in managing ascites, but it is not a direct measure of the immediate effectiveness of the paracentesis.
C. Correct. Monitoring the client's weight is a common way to assess the effectiveness of a paracentesis, as the procedure aims to remove excess abdominal fluid (ascites), which can lead to a reduction in body weight.
D. Incorrect. Examining for leakage at the site of the procedure is important for safety but does not directly reflect the effectiveness of the paracentesis.
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.
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