The nurse is caring for a patient with Addison's disease who is scheduled for discharge. When teaching the patient about hormone replacement therapy, the nurse should address what topic?
The need to match the daily steroid dose to immediate symptoms
The importance of monitoring liver function
The need for life-long steroid replacement
The possibility of extreme weight loss from use of corticosteroids
The Correct Answer is C
A. The need to match the daily steroid dose to immediate symptoms:
Explanation: Adjusting the steroid dose based on immediate symptoms is not a recommended approach. Patients should follow the prescribed regimen provided by their healthcare provider.
B. The importance of monitoring liver function:
Explanation: While monitoring liver function is important for some medications, it is not the primary focus when teaching about hormone replacement therapy in Addison's disease. The emphasis is on the need for life-long steroid replacement.
C. The need for life-long steroid replacement:
Explanation: Patients with Addison's disease require life-long steroid replacement therapy to compensate for the deficiency in adrenal hormones. It's important for the patient to understand that adherence to the prescribed steroid regimen is essential for maintaining health and preventing adrenal crisis.
D. The possibility extreme weight loss from the use of corticosteroids:
Explanation: While corticosteroids can have various side effects, extreme weight loss is not a typical or desired outcome of steroid therapy for Addison's disease. Weight changes and potential side effects should be discussed, but the emphasis should be on the importance of long-term steroid replacement.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Monitoring the patient's breathing and reviewing the patient's arterial blood gases:
Rationale: While respiratory status is crucial in any patient assessment, arterial blood gases primarily evaluate respiratory function. Neutropenia directly affects the immune system, not respiratory function.
Appropriateness: Not directly related to assessing neutropenia.
B. Monitoring the patient's temperature and reviewing the patient's complete blood count with differential:
Rationale: Neutropenia can cause fever due to the increased risk of infection. Monitoring temperature and reviewing the complete blood count (CBC) with differential, specifically the neutrophil count, is essential in evaluating neutropenia and identifying potential infections.
Appropriateness: Correct. Monitoring temperature and reviewing CBC with differential are crucial in assessing neutropenia.
C. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure and reviewing the patient's hematocrit:
Rationale: Blood pressure assessment and hematocrit evaluation are essential aspects of general patient care but are not specific to neutropenia.
Appropriateness: Not directly related to assessing neutropenia.
D. Monitoring the patient's heart rate and reviewing the patient's hemoglobin:
Rationale: Heart rate monitoring and hemoglobin assessment are crucial in various clinical situations but are not specific indicators of neutropenia.
Appropriateness: Not directly related to assessing neutropenia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. IV administration of 50% dextrose in water:
This is the correct answer. The client is severely hypoglycemic, and IV administration of 50% dextrose in water is the most rapid way to raise the blood glucose level in an emergency situation.
B. IV bolus of 5% dextrose in 0.45% NaCl:
While this solution contains dextrose, it is not as concentrated as 50% dextrose. In an emergency, a more concentrated solution is needed to rapidly correct severe hypoglycemia.
C. Administer 4 oz. clear juice:
Oral intake may be too slow in this critical situation. IV administration is more appropriate for rapidly raising the blood glucose level.
D. Subcutaneous administration of 12 to 15 units of regular insulin:
This would further lower the blood glucose level and is not appropriate for treating severe hypoglycemia.
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