A client on long-term corticosteroid therapy tells the nurse that the plan is to stop taking the medication when the current prescription is completed. How should the nurse respond?

Question

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "You could develop nausea, vomiting, and other problems if you stop this medication abruptly."
2. "Your body will not be able to produce the steroid that you need and you will become very ill."
3. "Why do you plan to stop taking the medication?"
4. "I'm sure you know what is best for your health."
5. "You will feel sick for a short while after stopping the medication, but it will go away."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: If the corticosteroid medication is abruptly withdrawn, symptoms of adrenal crisis will appear.
Rationale 2: If the corticosteroid medication is abruptly withdrawn, symptoms of adrenal crisis will appear.
Rationale 3: The nurse should determine the reasons for the patient's actions.
Rationale 4: This response does not address the physiologic effects that will occur if the medication is abruptly stopped.
Rationale 5: If left untreated, the symptoms will not go away, and the client may go into shock.
Global Rationale: If the corticosteroid medication is abruptly withdrawn, symptoms of adrenal crisis will appear. The nurse should determine the reasons for the patient's actions. If left untreated, the symptoms will not go away, and the client may go into shock. It does not appear that the patient knows what is best for his health.