A patient has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and will begin daily oral corticosteroid treatment. Which baseline assessment(s) would be important for a patient receiving corticosteroids? (Select all that apply.)
a. Baseline weight
b. Blood pressure
c. Complete blood cell count (CBC)
d. Electrolyte studies
e. Hydration status
ANS: A, B, D, E
Baseline assessments for patients receiving corticosteroid therapy include weight, blood pressure, electrolyte studies, intake and output, and diet and hydration status. A baseline CBC is not needed for patients taking corticosteroids.
You might also like to view...
A nurse is assessing a patient's stoma on postoperative day 3. The nurse notes that the stoma has a shiny appearance and a bright red color. How should the nurse best respond to this assessment finding?
A) Irrigate the ostomy to clear a possible obstruction. B) Contact the primary care provider to report this finding. C) Document that the stoma appears healthy and well perfused. D) Document a nursing diagnosis of Impaired Skin Integrity.
A nurse is assessing a 77-year-old male admitted to the unit for suspected liver dysfunction. What assessment finding will the nurse expect to find?
A) Liver function results change dramatically in the older adult. B) Metabolism of medications is delayed primarily by the liver. C) The liver is enlarged with hard edges. D) The liver is decreased in size and weight.
Concerning the postpartum changes and developments in a woman's cardiovascular system, nurses should be aware that:
1. cardiac output, pulse rate, and stroke volume all return to prepregnancy normal within a few hours of childbirth. 2. respiratory function returns to nonpregnant levels by 6 to 8 weeks after birth. 3. lowered white blood count after pregnancy can lead to false positives when test-ing for infections. 4. a hypercoagulable state protects the new mother from thromboembolism, espe-cially after a cesarean birth.
According to cognitive theory, the treatment for the depressed client is focused on the client's:
a. way of thinking about him- or herself and the world b. psychobiological and spiritual profile c. understanding of the origins of feelings d. sense of control over life's events