A patient who has been taking oral glucocorticoids for a month comes to the clinic for a follow-up appointment
After assessment and review of the patient's medications, the prescriber plans to convert the glucocorticoids from an oral route to an inhaler. When providing education, the nurse should inform the patient that
a. the oral glucocorticoids will be tapered gradually.
b. oral glucocorticoids should be discontinued immediately.
c. the mouth should be rinsed prior to use of the inhaler.
d. an oral agent and an inhaler should never be used simultaneously.
ANS: A
Patients who are switched from oral glucocorticoids to inhaled glucocorticoids must be given supplemental oral glucocorticoids to allow the adrenocortical function to recover.
The medication should not be discontinued abruptly, especially if given in a high dose, because the patient will not be able to produce enough endogenous glucocorticoids as a result of adrenal suppression.
The mouth should be rinsed after an inhaler is used, not before.
An oral agent and an inhaler may be used simultaneously, especially in situations of high stress.
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