The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client prescribed prednisone to be taken on alternate days. The client asks why he cannot just take half a pill every day.
What rationale should the nurse describe?
To decrease adrenal suppression.
To eliminate adverse side effects.
To prevent steroid tolerance.
To prolong therapeutic effects.
The Correct Answer is A
Prednisone is a glucocorticoid that suppresses the production of natural cortisol by the adrenal glands. Taking prednisone on alternate days allows the adrenal glands to recover and produce some cortisol on the days without prednisone.
Choice B is wrong because prednisone does not eliminate adverse side effects, but may cause some such as weight gain, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, increased blood glucose, and increased risk of infection.
Choice C is wrong because there is no evidence of steroid tolerance, which means that higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect.
Choice D is wrong because prednisone does not prolong therapeutic effects, but may decrease them over time due to feedback inhibition of cortisol secretion.
Normal ranges for cortisol are 6 to 23 mcg/dL in the morning and 2 to 11 mcg/dL in the afternoon.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should question an order for bismuth salts for a client with an allergy to aspirin because bismuth salts contain salicylates, which are chemically related to aspirin and can cause allergic reactions.
Choice A is wrong because rheumatoid arthritis is not a contraindication for bismuth salts.
Bismuth salts may have anti-inflammatory effects that could benefit clients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Choice B is wrong because viral gastroenteritis is not a contraindication for bismuth salts.
Bismuth salts may help reduce diarrhea and inflammation caused by viral gastroenteritis.
Choice D is wrong because hypertension is not a contraindication for bismuth salts.
Bismuth salts do not affect blood pressure or interact with antihypertensive medications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
800 mg PO at bedtime is an appropriate dosage and frequency of cimetidine for the treatment of gastric ulcer. Cimetidine is a histamine H antagonist that reduces the secretion of gastric acid.
Choice B is wrong because 150 mg PO b.i.d. is too low of a dose for cimetidine. The usual adult dose for duodenal ulcer is 800 mg PO once a day at bedtime or 300 mg PO four times a day.
Choice C is wrong because 20 mg PO b.i.d. is not a valid dose for cimetidine.
The lowest available tablet strength is 100 mg.
Choice D is wrong because 300 mg PO at bedtime is also too low of a dose for cimetidine.
The usual adult dose for gastric ulcer is 800 mg PO once a day at bedtime or 300 mg PO four times a day.
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