Chapter 33: Adrenal Drugs Flashcards
The nurse is administering adrenal drugs to a patient. Which action by the nurse is appropriate for this patient?
A. administering oral drugs on an empty stomach to max absorption
B. rinsing the oral cavity after using corticosteroid inhalers
C. administering the corticosteroids before bedtime to minimize adrenal suppression
D. discontinuing the medication immediately if weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week occurs
B (helps to prevent oral fungal infections from developing)
A patient will be starting therapy with a corticosteroid. The nurse reviews the patient’s orders and notes that an interaction may occur if the corticosteroid is taken with which of these drug classes?
A. NSAIDS
B. Antibiotics
C. opioid analgesics
D. antidepressants
A (additive GI effects and increased chance for development of gastric ulcers)
A patient is concerned about the body changes that have resulted from long-term prednisone therapy for the treatment of asthma. Which effect of this drug therapy would be present to support the nursing dx of disturbed body image?
A. weight loss
B. weight gain
C. pale skin color
D. hair loss
B (Cushing’s syndrome s/sx)
A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef) for Addison’s disease, and his wife is concerned about all of the problems that may occur with this med. When teaching them about this med, the nurse will include which information?
A. it may cause severe postural hypotension
B. it needs to be taken with food or milk to minimize GI upset
C. the medication needs to be stopped immediately if N or V occurs
D. weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week is an expected adverse effect
B (adverse effects are related to the fluid retention and may include HF and HTN)
When monitoring a patient who is taking a systemically administered glucocorticosteroid, the nurse will monitor for signs of which condition?
A. dehydration
B. hypokalema
C. hyponatremia
D. hypogylcemia
B (systemic gluco drugs may cause K depletion, hyperglycemia, and hypernatremia)
A glucocorticoid is prescribed for a patient. The nurse checks the patient’s med history knowing that glucocorticoid therapy is contraindicated in which disorder?
A. cerebral edema
B. peptic ulcer disease
C. tuberculous meningitis
D. COPD
B (contraindications include allergy, cataracts, glaucoma, peptic ulcer disease, mental health problems, and DM; other options are indications)
A patient who has been on long-term corticosteroid therapy has had surgery to correct and abd hernia. The nurse keeps in mind that which potential effect of this med may have the most impact on the patient’s recovery?
A. hypotension
B. delayed wound healing
C. muscle weakness
D. osteoporosis
B (would have the MOST impact on delayed wound healing)
The nurse is reviewing therapy with glucocorticoid drugs. Which conditions are indications for gluco drugs? (SATA)
A. glaucoma
B. cerebral edema
C. COPD and asthma
D. organ transplantation
E. varicella
F. septicemia
B, C, D (A, E, and F are contraindications of why you would NOT want to take this medication)
The nurse expects that a patient is experiencing undersecretion of adrenocortical hormones when which conditions are found upon assessment? (SATA)
A. dehydration
B. weight loss
C. steroid psychosis
D. increased K levels
E. increased blood glucose levels
F. decreased serum Na levels
A, B, D, F (undersecretion AKA hyposecretion causes Addison’s disease- s/sx; steroid psychosis is an effect of gluco excess)
