A client comes to the clinic and reports that they stopped taking their prescribed steroids early because they felt much better. What side effect should the nurse anticipate in this client?
Peripheral edema.
Low blood pressure.
Hyperglycemia.
Weight loss.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Peripheral edema is not a common side effect of stopping steroids early. Peripheral edema is often associated with conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Choice B rationale
Low blood pressure is a common side effect when a person stops taking steroids like prednisone abruptly. Prednisone is a glucocorticoid, a type of steroid that works to mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone that the adrenal glands produce. The body uses cortisol to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure. When a person takes prednisone for longer than a few weeks, the body reduces the amount of cortisol it makes. When a person suddenly stops taking prednisone, the body cannot immediately produce enough cortisol to make up for the missing drug. This results in withdrawal symptoms, including low blood pressure.
Choice C rationale
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is not typically a withdrawal symptom of stopping steroids early. While long-term use of steroids can lead to increased blood sugar levels, stopping the medication does not typically cause hyperglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Weight loss can be a symptom of steroid withdrawal, but it is not the most immediate or common symptom that would be anticipated in a client who stopped taking their prescribed steroids early. More common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, and low blood pressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Caffeine can cause symptoms such as rapid heart rate and headaches, but it does not interact with metronidazole to cause these symptoms.
Choice B rationale
Tobacco can cause a rapid heart rate, but it does not interact with metronidazole to cause these symptoms.
Choice C rationale
Alcohol interacts with metronidazole and can cause symptoms such as rapid heart rate, severe headache, and light-headedness.
Choice D rationale
Marijuana can cause a rapid heart rate and light-headedness, but it does not interact with metronidazole to cause these symptoms.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Fluid retention is a common side effect of prednisone, but it is not directly associated with compression fractures of the vertebrae.
Choice B rationale
Long-term use of prednisone can lead to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. Osteoporosis can increase the risk of fractures, including compression fractures of the vertebrae. This is likely the adverse effect of prednisone that is most associated with the client’s findings.
Choice C rationale
Adrenal insufficiency is a potential side effect of long-term prednisone use. However, it is not directly linked to compression fractures of the vertebrae.
Choice D rationale
While gastrointestinal bleeding can occur with prednisone use, it is not directly related to compression fractures of the vertebrae.
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