A patient diagnosed with spinal shock has been receiving an intravenous steroid for 8 days

Question

Which findings would be the nurse's priority to discuss with the prescriber? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. The patient has developed a fever.
2. The patient's potassium has dropped from 4.3 to 3.8 mEq/L.
3. The patient's blood glucose was 230 mg/dL this morning.
4. The patient's stools are dark and sticky.
5. The patient's surgical incision is not healing.

Answer 1

1,3,4,5
Rationale 1: Steroids can cause suppression of the immune system. Fever may indicate that the patient has developed an infection.
Rationale 2: This potassium level is still within normal limits. The potassium level is not associated with steroid administration.
Rationale 3: Steroids increase blood glucose. The patient may need to be given insulin temporarily.
Rationale 4: Tarry stools indicated gastrointestinal bleeding, which is an adverse effect of steroids.
Rationale 5: Delayed wound healing is an adverse effect of steroid use.