A nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who is to start taking prednisone. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a contraindication to prednisone therapy?

A. Bradycardia: Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic medication, can cause bradycardia as an adverse effect due to its negative chronotropic effects on the heart's electrical conduction system. Bradycardia is a common adverse effect of amiodarone and requires monitoring during therapy.
B. Fever: Fever is not a typical adverse effect of amiodarone. If a client develops a fever while taking amiodarone, other potential causes should be investigated.
C. Hypertension: Hypertension is not a typical adverse effect of amiodarone. Amiodarone is more commonly associated with bradycardia and hypotension.
D. Bradypnea: Bradypnea, or slow respiratory rate, is not a typical adverse effect of amiodarone.

Respiratory adverse effects of amiodarone are more commonly related to pulmonary toxicity, such as pulmonary fibrosis or pneumonitis.

A. The client's liver function test results are within the expected reference range: While monitoring liver function tests is essential for clients taking isoniazid and rifampin due to
potential hepatotoxicity, normal liver function test results do not necessarily indicate adherence to the medication regimen. Adherence is best assessed by the client's response to treatment, such as improvement in symptoms and resolution of the infection.
B. The client has a positive purified protein derivative test: A positive purified protein derivative (PPD) test indicates exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis but does not provide information about the client's adherence to the medication regimen for tuberculosis treatment. Adherence to treatment is determined by factors such as medication compliance and therapeutic response.
C. The client tests negative for HIV: The client's HIV status is not directly related to adherence to the tuberculosis medication regimen. While co-infection with HIV can impact the management of tuberculosis, testing negative for HIV does not confirm adherence to tuberculosis treatment.
D. The client has a negative sputum culture: A negative sputum culture indicates the absence of viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms in the sputum sample and suggests effective
treatment and adherence to the medication regimen. Monitoring sputum culture conversion is a key indicator of treatment success in tuberculosis therapy.