Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

SEMESTER FOUR!! Nursing 214 > Corticosteroid Therapy - Exam 2 > Flashcards

Corticosteroid Therapy - Exam 2 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Nursing Mental Health flashcards Nursing Management of Care flashcards NCLEX-PN® flashcards NCLEX-RN® flashcards Nursing Fundamentals flashcards Nursing Pediatrics flashcards Nursing Safety & Infection flashcards Nursing Pharmacology flashcards Nursing Maternity flashcards Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) flashcards
1
Q

prednisone

A

Classification: hormone

Mechanism of Action: Oral synthetic adrenocorticosteriod

Use: Used in inflammatory conditions and as an immunosuppressant

Side/Adverse Effects: euphoria, insomnia, N/V, muscle weakness, delayed wound healing, osteoporosis, hypokalemia, glucose intolerance, growth suppression in children, Cushingoid features

Nursing Implications: administer with food or snack to avoid GI upset. Do not abruptly start or stop drug. Reduce dose gradually by scheduled regiment to prevent withdrawal symptoms and permit adrenals to recover from drug-induced partial atrophy. Monitor bone density. Be aware of masked infections and delayed wound healing. Monitor weight, BP, blood glucose levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

methylprenisolone (Solumedrol)

A

Classification: hormone

Mechanism of Action: IV synthetic adrenocorticosteroid

Use: anti-inflammatory agent in management of acute/chronic inflammatory diseases

Side/Adverse Effects: euphoria, insomina, N/V, muscle weakness, delayed wound healing, osteoporosis, hypokalemia, glucose intolerance, growth suppression in children, Cushingoid features.

Nursing Implications: monitor weight, BP. Monitor diabetics for loss of glycemic control, teach family to report slow wound healing, significant insomnia. Do not alter established dosage regimen. Report onset of hypocorticism adrenal insufficiency: fatigue, nausea, anorexia, joint pain, weakness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are corticosterioids?

A

Man-made medications

Similar to cortisol, a hormone

Commonly called sterioids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Endogenous Corticosterioids

A
  • Under the control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
  • Normal controls
  • Activation of stress reaction will also cause release of adrenocortical hormone from adrenal gland
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Types of endogenous corticosterioids

A
  1. Glucocorticoids
  2. Mineralocorticoids
  3. Androgens
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Glucocorticoids

A
  • Regulate protein and fat metabolism
  • Increase blood glucose/glucose utilization
  • Buffers the stress response
  • Alters immune function
  • Reduces the inflammatory response
  • Cortisol
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Mineralocorticoids

A
  • Regulate sodium, water and potassium balance
  • Aldosterone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Androgens

A
  • Contribute to growth and development
  • Sexual activity in adult women
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone in men (produced in the testes)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Action of Corticosterioid

A
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Immunosuppresion
  • Maintenance of normal BP
  • Maintenance of normal glucose metabolism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why are corticosteroids given?

A
  • Treat inflammatory illnesses by decreasing the inflammatory response
  • Decrease inflammation
    • Redness
    • Swelling
    • Heat
    • Pain
  • Immunosuppression
  • Hormone replacement in adrenocortical insufficiency (ex. Addison’s Disease)
  • Antineoplastic

When a disease process has significant impact on the patient’s ability to function…corticosteroids are used. Corticosterioid use is based on individual patient characterisitics, they should be given locally if possible and in the smallest doses for the shortest duration needed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Types of manufactured (exogenous) corticosteroid medications

A
  • Inhaled (fluticasone)
  • Ophthalmic eye drops
  • Oral (prednisone)
  • IM emergency kits for Addison’s patients
  • IV (methylprednisolone)
  • Topical (hydrocortisone cream)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Nursing Implications (monitor for therapeutic effect and adverse effects)

A
  • Give in morning to mimic normal endogenous steroid release
  • Give with food
  • Do not stop aburptly
  • Give smallest doses for shortest length of time to treat disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Monitoring for side effects; too much steroid

A
  1. Change in behavior
  2. Insomnia/euphoria
  3. GI irritation
  4. Na and fluid retention
  5. Hypokalemia
  6. Hyperglycemia and CHO intolerance
  7. Weight gain
  8. Decreased ability to fight infection
  9. Slow wound healing
  10. Osteoporosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Therapeutic Nursing Interventions

A
  • Administer PO with meals
  • Teach need to continue dose and taper. Do not abruptly discontinue
  • Low Na diet
  • Complex carbohydrates not simple sugars in diet
  • Adequate Ca++ in diet, weight bearing exercise
  • Vaccination for prevention of infection
  • Planning/support for possible body image changes
  • Medic-alert information
  • Emotional Support
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Long term exogenous coricosteroid effects

A
  • Truncal obesity, hyperglycemia
  • Moon face, hirsuitism, acne
  • Thin skin, poor wound healing
  • Sodium and water retention
  • Hypokalemia
  • GI ulcers
  • Osteroporosis
  • Fatigue/Mood swings
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Assessments for patients on corticosteroids

A
  • Temperature, s/s infection
  • VS, espeically BP
  • Fluid volume excess
  • N/V, gastric upset
  • Hyperglycemia/blood glucose monitoring
  • Weight gain
  • Assess wound healing
  • Osteoporosis
  • Mood changes/emotional effects
17
Q

Cushing’s Disease

A

Excessive endogenous production of steroid by adrenal gland treatment - depends on specific reason for excess steroid

  • Resection/radiation of pituitary adenoma
  • Surgical removal of ACTH secreting tumors
  • Adrenalectomy
  • Medical suppression of adrenal function
  • Correction of underlying cause followed by steroid replacement therapy
18
Q

Reducing side effects of exogenous steroid therapy

A
  • Reduction in dose - lowest dose that keeps symptoms aways
  • Gradual tapering - when possible
  • Conversion to alternate day regimen - allows pituitary to make some ACTH
19
Q

Addison’s Disease

A

Too little corticosteroid

An autoimmune response that destorys the adrenal cortex

Sign and Symptoms:

  • Weight loss
  • Hypovolemia
  • Hypotension
  • Low Na, high K
  • A/N/V/D
  • Anemia/Fatigue

Addison’s Disease looks like situation when exogenous corticosteroids are abruptly stopped - known as Addison’s crisis. When steroid replacement is abruptly stopped, adrenals cannot produce steroids, can be life threatening.Hypotension and shock can result.

Nursing assessment:

  • VS especially BP
  • S/S fluid volume deficit
  • GI distress/weight loss
  • Anemia, Hct, fatigue
  • Na, K

TNIs:

  • Teach patient about life long need for replacement of steroids
  • Need for ongoing medical supervision
  • Extra steroids during times of stress
  • Medic alert information
  • Emergency kit use; 100mg IM hydrocortisone

SEMESTER FOUR!! Nursing 214 (52 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions