A patient who has been prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid develops a thick white coating on the tongue and patches on the inside cheeks. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Instruct the patient to stop using the inhaler until the coating is gone.
b. Obtain a culture of the coating and take the patient's temperature.
c. Hold the dose and notify the prescriber immediately.
d. Document the finding and notify the prescriber.
D
When a patient is prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug, there is an increased risk of opportunistic infections. A thick white coating on the tongue and mucous membrane suggests that the patient has developed a candidiasis (yeast) infection that will need to be treated with an antifungal drug. The nurse should document the finding and notify the prescriber so that appropriate treatment actions can be taken.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is planning care for a school-age child with bacterial meningitis. What intervention should be included?
a. Keep environmental stimuli to a minimum. b. Have the child move her head from side to side at least every 2 hours. c. Avoid giving pain medications that could dull sensorium. d. Measure head circumference to assess developing complications.
Which statement shows the nurses understanding of patient-focused care?
a. "Patient-focused care is a nursing care delivery system.". b. "Patient-focused care is a model for a health care organization.". c. "Patient-focused care is a clinical pathway within an institution.". d. "Patient-focused care is an institutional value and philosophy.".
Which statement by a nursing student about the mechanism of action of sulfonamides indicates the need for further instruction?
1. "Sulfonamides resemble the precursor molecule, PABA, so the enzymes needed for the synthesis of folic acid bind with sulfonamide instead of with PABA, stopping bacterial growth." 2. "Sulfonamides slow the growth of bacteria because they only inhibit folic acid that is synthesized by bacteria." 3. "Sulfonamides are effective against uropathogens by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial folic acid." 4. "Sulfonamides are most effective in clients who eat large amounts of foods rich in folic acid."
Which statement is correct regarding the contrast between oral and topical sympathomimetic agents?
1. The duration of action is longer for the topical agents. 2. Systemic effects are more problematic with oral agents. 3. Oral agents work more rapidly. 4. Topical agents are completely safe and therefore should be used for most patients.