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A nurse is planning to teach a client about taking prednisone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A.

Take on an empty stomach.

B.

Schedule dosage at bedtime.

C.

Increase dietary calcium.

D.

Monitor for weight loss.

Answer and Explanation

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.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Hypertension is not typically associated with amniocentesis unless there are underlying conditions.
B. Epigastric pain may be a sign of other issues such as preeclampsia, but it is not a common complication following amniocentesis.
C. Correct. Amniocentesis can sometimes trigger contractions, especially if performed earlier in pregnancy. Monitoring for contractions is important to assess for preterm labor.
D. Vomiting is not a common complication of amniocentesis.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Changing the inner cannula on a tracheostomy is within the legal scope of practice for registered nurses. Nurses are trained to perform tracheostomy care, including changing the inner cannula. This procedure is within the nursing scope of practice and does not require a physician's intervention.

Choice B rationale:

Inserting a tunneled central venous catheter (such as a Hickman line) is a specialized procedure that generally falls under the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses (such as nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists) or physicians. RNs typically do not have the required training or authority to perform this invasive procedure.

Choice C rationale:

Irrigation of an external ear canal is within the legal scope of practice for registered nurses. Ear irrigation is a common nursing procedure used to remove impacted cerumen (earwax) and foreign bodies from the ear canal. Nurses are trained to perform this procedure safely and effectively.

Choice D rationale:

Administering blood products, including platelet transfusions, is within the legal scope of practice for an RN. RNs are responsible for preparing, verifying, and administering blood products according to institutional policies and procedures. This includes monitoring the patient during and after the transfusion for any adverse reactions.

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