A client with diabetes is prescribed prednisone for acute asthma exacerbation. The client asks if this medication will affect the blood sugar. The nurse's best response is:
1. "Your blood sugar might drop unexpectedly."
2. "Your blood sugar will be unaffected."
3. "Your blood sugar might be elevated."
4. "Would you like to speak to the health care provider about this?"
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: An unexpected drop in blood glucose is not a property associated with corticosteroid medications.
Rationale 2: Prednisone does affect blood glucose level.
Rationale 3: Administration of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is likely to cause an increase in blood glucose levels. The client should check blood glucose levels more frequently and report abnormal values to the health care provider.
Rationale 4: The nurse can provide, and should be providing, client teaching. The health care provider does not need to be contacted to answer this question.
Global Rationale: Administration of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is likely to cause an increase in blood glucose levels. The client should check blood glucose levels more frequently and report abnormal values to the health care provider. The nurse can provide, and should be providing, client teaching. The health care provider does not need to be contacted to answer this question.
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