A client who has dermatomyositis (DM) and is receiving high-dose steroids needs surgery for an unrelated problem. The surgeon orders the steroids to be stopped at midnight the night before surgery. The most appropriate action by the nurse is to
a. call the physician and ask to have the order clarified.
b. consult with the pharmacist about tapering the dose instead.
c. discontinue the steroid because the client will be NPO.
d. speak to the physician and explain concerns with this order.
D
Clients taking high-dose steroids must never change a dose on their own, and their dose must be tapered slowly because the body cannot respond quickly to changes in cortisol levels. Disconti-nuing the steroids could precipitate an addisonian crisis. The nurse must speak to the physician and relay his/her concerns about this order.
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When working with women who are taking hormonal birth control, what health promotion measures should the nurse teach to prevent possible pulmonary embolism (PE)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Avoid drinking alcohol. b. Eat more omega-3 fatty acids. c. Exercise on a regular basis. d. Maintain a healthy weight. e. Stop smoking cigarettes.
When teaching a class of primigravidas, the nurse explains that while the mother is pregnant, the physician may order a blood test to identify the maternal level of Rh antibodies. This test is called a(n):
a. indirect Coombs' test. b. hemolytic test. c. Rh antibody test. d. direct Coombs' test.
The nurse is caring for a newborn infant who has Down syndrome. Which of the following nursing actions reflects the nurse's use of the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
A) The nurse speaks truthfully to the parents regarding their child's prognosis. B) The nurse provides safe, competent nursing care to avoid harming the infant. C) The nurse involves the parents in making health care decisions for their child. D) The nurse fairly allocates resources for caring for newborns in a facility.
To accurately assess the client's response to a diagnostic procedure, which of these actions should the nurse take?
a. Determine the client's perception of how well the procedure was tolerated. b. Await the results of the test performed. c. Compare vital signs taken during and after the procedure, with baseline vital signs taken prior to the test. d. Read the health care provider's progress note.