A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has chronic stable angina and a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin.
Which of the following instructions 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:

Hanging the antibiotic medication bag above the level of the primary infusion is an important step in administering an antibiotic via intermittent IV bolus. However, it is not the first step. The medication bag is usually hung higher to allow the antibiotic to infuse by gravity once it’s connected.

Choice B rationale:

Wiping the connection port of the primary IV tubing with an antiseptic swab is a crucial step in preventing infection. However, this is typically done just before connecting the secondary line, not as the first step.

Choice C rationale:

Checking the IV site for signs of infiltration is indeed the first step. It’s important to ensure that the IV catheter is still properly placed in the vein and that there are no signs of infection or infiltration, which could cause complications.

Choice D rationale:

Connecting the tubing of the medication bag to the primary tubing is done after cleaning the port and before hanging the bag. It’s not the first step.