A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is taking oral prednisone for long-term management of chronic asthma.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Prednisone does not need to be taken on an empty stomach. In fact, taking it with food can help reduce stomach upset.

Choice B rationale:

Prednisone suppresses the immune system, which can make users more susceptible to infections. Therefore, reporting symptoms like a sore throat to the provider is important.

Choice C rationale:

Prednisone can cause fluid retention and high blood pressure, so increasing sodium intake would not be advisable.

Choice D rationale:

Weight gain is a common side effect of prednisone due to increased appetite and fluid retention. Weight loss is not typically expected.

Choice A rationale:

Increased temperature is not a direct indication of naloxone’s effectiveness. Naloxone works by reversing the effects of opioids, which do not typically include fever.

Choice B rationale:

While naloxone can cause an abrupt withdrawal in opioid-dependent individuals, leading to symptoms such as hypertension, it does not typically decrease blood pressure in opioid overdose cases.

Choice C rationale:

Naloxone works by reversing the life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system caused by an opioid overdose. Therefore, an increased respiratory rate after administration would indicate that the medication is effective.

Choice D rationale:

Naloxone reverses the effects of opioids, including pain relief. Therefore, a report of decreased pain would not indicate that the medication is effective.