A nurse is screening clients for adrenal insufficiency. The nurse recognizes that which client is at greatest risk for adrenal insufficiency?
A 19-year-old male on low dose steroids for a week
A 35-year-old female who completed 3 weeks of steroids.
An 80-year-old female who takes steroids daily.
A 45-year old male with COPD who uses intermittent steroids.
The Correct Answer is C
A. A short-term, low-dose steroid use (one week) has minimal risk for adrenal suppression.
B. Three weeks of steroids increases risk, but daily use presents a higher risk.
C. Prolonged daily steroid use, especially in an older adult, poses the greatest risk for adrenal insufficiency due to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
D. Intermittent steroid use is less likely to cause adrenal insufficiency compared to daily long-term use.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Calcium binders are used to help decrease the amount of calcium absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, thus lowering calcium levels in the blood.
B. Vitamin D supplements would actually increase calcium levels by enhancing intestinal absorption, so this option is not appropriate in hypercalcemia.
C. Administering fluids helps to dilute serum calcium levels and promote renal excretion of calcium, making it a priority treatment.
D. Furosemide (Lasix) can help promote diuresis, thereby increasing the excretion of calcium through the urine, which is beneficial in managing hypercalcemia.
E. Oral phosphates may be used in some cases to manage hypercalcemia, but they are not a first-line treatment and their administration should be carefully considered in conjunction with other treatments.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Elevated PTH levels lead to increased calcium reabsorption from bones and enhanced calcium absorption in the kidneys, which can result in hypercalcemia and increase the risk of renal calculi (kidney stones).
B. Irritability and anxiety are not directly associated with high PTH levels. They are more often linked to thyroid hormone imbalances.
C. Frequent diarrhea is not a common symptom of elevated PTH levels; instead, hypercalcemia can lead to constipation.
D. Tetany and muscle pain are more commonly associated with low calcium levels, such as in hypoparathyroidism, not elevated PTH.
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