A patient has symptoms of adrenocorticoid insufficiency and is having diagnostic testing with administration of cosyntropin (Cortrosyn). The nurse would evaluate that this test shows secondary adrenocortical insufficiency if which result occurs?
1. The patient's plasma level of cortisol rises after injection.
2. The patient has carpal spasms following injection.
3. The patient's urine cortisol fails to rise after injection.
4. The patient flushes after injection.
1
Rationale 1: If the adrenal gland responds by secreting corticosteroids after the cosyntropin injection, the pathology lies at the level of the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary adrenocortical insufficiency).
Rationale 2: Carpal spasms are not related to this test.
Rationale 3: The test involves plasma levels of cortisol.
Rationale 4: Flushing is not related to this test.
Global Rationale: If the adrenal gland responds by secreting corticosteroids after the cosyntropin injection, the pathology lies at the level of the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary adrenocortical insufficiency). Carpal spasms and flushing are not related to this test. The test involves plasma levels of cortisol.
You might also like to view...
Values clarification can assist the client to clarify his or her own values to facilitate effective decision making. Which of the following nursing activities is incorporated into this intervention?
a. Avoid the use of open-ended questions. b. Use multiple sessions to cross-examine the client to ensure he or she is clear about personal values. c. Use appropriate questions to assist the client in reflecting on the situation and what is personally important. d. Encourage members of the health care team to relate how they would make the decision.
After abdominal surgery, a client has difficulty coughing, saying, "It hurts too much." The nurse should teach the client to:
1. ask for pain medication if the pain is severe. 2. support the abdomen with a pillow during the coughing exercises. 3. turn and deep-breathe without coughing. 4. cough without straining the abdomen.
Informal education includes education experiences that occur through daily activities, such as
a. attending a workshop on coronary artery disease sponsored by the American Heart Association. b. watching a television show about diabetes. c. learning about food safety techniques in a high school economics course. d. completing a first aid course at the local Red Cross facility.
To evaluate a client's understanding of the teaching given about medications, the nurse should:
a. have the client teach a family member about the client's medications. b. have the client take medications as will be done at home. c. have a family member administer the client's medications. d. document that the teaching about medications was completed.