A 29-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus has been prescribed 2 weeks of high-dose prednisone therapy. Which information about the prednisone is most important for the nurse to include?
a. "Weigh yourself daily to monitor for weight gain caused by increased appetite."
b. "A weight-bearing exercise program will help minimize the risk for osteoporosis."
c. "The prednisone dose should be decreased gradually rather than stopped suddenly."
d. "Call the health care provider if you experience mood alterations with the prednisone."
ANS: C
Acute adrenal insufficiency may occur if exogenous corticosteroids are suddenly stopped. Mood alterations and weight gain are possible adverse effects of corticosteroid use, but these are not life-threatening effects. Osteoporosis occurs when patients take corticosteroids for longer periods.
You might also like to view...
Which muscle relaxant was found to be embryotoxic in animal studies?
A) Carisoprodol (Soma) B) Botulinum toxin A (Botox) C) Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) D) Dantrolene (Dantrium)
When the nurse is preparing a tepid bath for a patient, the water temperature should be:
a. 98.6° F. b. 100.2° F. c. 104.8° F. d. 110.4° F.
Differential diagnoses belong in the:
a. history. b. physical examination. c. assessment. d. plan.
A woman at 10 weeks gestation is diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic disease (hydatiform mole). Which of the following findings would the nurse expect to see?
A) Platelet count of 550,000/ mm3 B) Dark brown vaginal bleeding C) White blood cell count 17,000/ mm3 D) Macular papular rash