A nurse is planning to teach a client about taking prednisone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Take on an empty stomach.
Schedule dosage at bedtime.
Increase dietary calcium.
Monitor for weight loss.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Correct. Beneficence refers to the ethical principle of doing good and taking actions that promote the well-being and best interests of the client. Sitting with the client to provide comfort aligns with this principle.
B. Incorrect. Autonomy relates to respecting the client's right to make decisions about their own care and treatment.
C. Incorrect. Fidelity pertains to keeping promises and maintaining trust in the nurse-client relationship.
D. Incorrect. Veracity involves truthfulness and honesty in communication with clients, particularly in providing accurate information about their care and condition.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Oxytocin is not typically administered during a nonstress test. Oxytocin is a hormone that induces or augments labor contractions; it is not used in nonstress testing, which monitors fetal heart rate and movement. The administration of oxytocin during nonstress testing would not be appropriate or necessary.
Choice B rationale:
Fasting is not required for a nonstress test. Nonstress testing involves attaching electronic fetal monitors to the mother's abdomen to measure the baby's heart rate and movement. It does not require the patient to abstain from eating or drinking. Imposing unnecessary restrictions on the client's diet could cause discomfort and anxiety, which is not conducive to an accurate assessment.
Choice C rationale:
Nonstress testing is used to evaluate the baby's heart rate response to its own movements. It does not diagnose genetic problems. Genetic testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, is a different type of test used to detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus. Therefore, this statement does not reflect an understanding of the purpose of nonstress testing.
Choice D rationale:
This is the correct answer. Nonstress testing involves monitoring the baby's heart rate and movement. During the test, the mother pushes a button when she feels the baby move. This allows the healthcare provider to correlate fetal movements with changes in the baby's heart rate. An understanding of this process indicates that the client comprehends the purpose and procedure of the nonstress test.
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