A nurse is administering corticosteroids to a child with epiglottitis.
What should the nurse monitor for as potential side effects of corticosteroid therapy?
Signs of adrenal insufficiency and hyperglycemia.
Decreased oxygen saturation levels.
Allergic reactions to the corticosteroids.
Increased sensitivity to antibiotics.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should monitor for signs of adrenal insufficiency and hyperglycemia as potential side effects of corticosteroid therapy.
Corticosteroids can suppress the adrenal glands, leading to adrenal insufficiency, which can manifest as weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and abdominal pain.
Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels) is a common side effect of corticosteroids and can worsen diabetes or predispose non-diabetic individuals to high blood sugar levels.
Choice B rationale:
Decreased oxygen saturation levels are not a common side effect of corticosteroid therapy.
Corticosteroids help reduce airway inflammation, which can actually improve oxygenation in conditions like epiglottitis by reducing airway obstruction and respiratory distress.
Choice C rationale:
Allergic reactions to corticosteroids are possible, but they are relatively rare.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
While allergic reactions are a concern with any medication, they are not the primary side effect that nurses should monitor for when administering corticosteroids.
Choice D rationale:
Increased sensitivity to antibiotics is not a known side effect of corticosteroid therapy.
Corticosteroids work by suppressing the immune response and reducing inflammation, but they do not affect the body's sensitivity to antibiotics.
Antibiotic effectiveness is determined by factors such as the specific antibiotic used, the type of bacteria causing the infection, and antibiotic resistance patterns.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Allergies to foods are not directly related to epiglottitis.
While it's essential information for a general health assessment, it doesn't provide specific insights into the condition.
Choice B rationale:
Immunization history is crucial in the assessment of a child with suspected epiglottitis.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination is highly effective in preventing epiglottitis caused by Hib bacteria.
Knowing the child's immunization status helps the nurse assess the likelihood of Hib infection.
Choice C rationale:
Recent travel destinations are not directly relevant to epiglottitis.
This information is more pertinent when assessing the risk of diseases like malaria or dengue fever, which are region-specific.
Choice D rationale:
Current hobbies and interests are not pertinent to the assessment of epiglottitis.
This information is important in a broader context for understanding the child's lifestyle but does not provide relevant data regarding the condition.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Epiglottitis does not cause the epiglottis to shrink and recede into the throat.
Instead, it leads to inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis, causing airway obstruction.
Choice B rationale:
The inflammation in epiglottitis does not primarily affect the vocal cords.
It specifically affects the epiglottis, a flap-like structure located at the base of the tongue, which covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the windpipe.
Choice C rationale:
Epiglottitis leads to increased airway resistance and respiratory distress due to the swelling and obstruction of the airway.
This can result in difficulty swallowing, drooling, and a muffled voice, as seen in the client's symptoms described in the question.
Choice D rationale:
The swelling in epiglottitis is not limited to the vocal cord area.
It involves the epiglottis, which can obstruct the airway and cause respiratory distress.
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