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A patient taking prednisone for a chronic respiratory condition reports increased swelling in their ankles and a weight gain of 5 pounds in one week. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?
A patient taking prednisone for a chronic respiratory condition reports increased swelling in their ankles and a weight gain of 5 pounds in one week. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?
- Reassure the patient these are expected side effects and will subside with continued use.
- Encourage the patient to increase their fluid intake to help flush out excess water retention.
- Instruct the patient to reduce their sodium intake and monitor their blood pressure daily. (correct)
- Advise the patient to discontinue the medication immediately and contact their healthcare provider.
A patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is prescribed prednisone. Which intervention is most important to include in the patient's plan of care?
A patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is prescribed prednisone. Which intervention is most important to include in the patient's plan of care?
- Administer the medication on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.
- Instruct the patient to take the medication at bedtime to minimize daytime side effects.
- Monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding. (correct)
- Encourage the patient to increase their intake of acidic foods to promote gastric acidity.
Before administering levothyroxine to a patient, which assessment finding would cause the nurse to question the order?
Before administering levothyroxine to a patient, which assessment finding would cause the nurse to question the order?
- A history of myocardial infarction. (correct)
- A recent diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
- Reported insomnia for the past week.
- Complaints of heat intolerance.
A patient taking levothyroxine reports experiencing heart palpitations and chest pain. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A patient taking levothyroxine reports experiencing heart palpitations and chest pain. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A patient with hypothyroidism is started on levothyroxine. Which teaching point is most important for the nurse to emphasize?
A patient with hypothyroidism is started on levothyroxine. Which teaching point is most important for the nurse to emphasize?
Flashcards
Prednisone
Prednisone
A corticosteroid that suppresses inflammation and modifies the immune response.
Adrenocortical Insufficiency
Adrenocortical Insufficiency
A condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones, leading to various health issues.
Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine
A medication used to replace thyroid hormones in patients with hypothyroidism.
Signs of Hyperthyroidism
Signs of Hyperthyroidism
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Nursing Management for Levothyroxine
Nursing Management for Levothyroxine
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Study Notes
Adrenocortical Hormones (Prednisone)
- Mechanism of Action: Suppresses inflammation and modifies the immune response.
- Adverse Effects:
- Fluid and electrolyte imbalances
- Hyperglycemia
- Muscle weakness
- Osteoporosis
- Nausea/Vomiting (N/V), Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), increased appetite
- Insomnia, irritability
- Psychosis, hallucinations
- Impaired wound healing, thin skin
- Edema, weight gain
- Hypertension (HTN) – due to fluid retention
- Changes in fat distribution
- Assessment: Vital signs (V/S), weight, lab values, signs/symptoms of infection
- Discontinuation: Taper the dose gradually.
- Patient Teaching:
- Do not stop the medication abruptly.
- Take with food.
- Recognize signs and symptoms of infection, and practice infection prevention.
- Diabetic patients need close blood glucose (BG) monitoring.
- Calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium supplements may be needed.
- Implement fall precautions.
- Use skin protection (e.g., geriatric sleeves, barrier creams).
- Monitor weight.
- Schedule bone density testing.
- Contraindications: Serious infections (e.g., tuberculosis (TB), antibiotic-resistant infections, fungal infections).
Thyroid Hormones (Levothyroxine)
- Mechanism of Action: Replacement therapy for hypothyroidism, increases T3 and T4 levels.
- Hypothyroidism: A condition where thyroid hormones are not produced enough.
- Hyperthyroidism (Adverse effects):
- Heart palpitations, chest pain, tachycardia
- Increased blood pressure (BP)
- Diarrhea
- Heat intolerance
- Hyperglycemia, bleeding
- Nursing Management:
- Monitor for cardiac effects (BP, heart rate).
- Monitor lab values (TSH, T3, T4).
- Patient Teaching:
- Take in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Do not stop the medication abruptly.
- Regular lab monitoring is necessary.
- Treatment is often lifelong.
- Effects may not be immediately apparent (several weeks).
- Contraindications: Acute myocardial infarction (MI), history of cardiac disease.
- Interactions: Anticoagulants and diabetes medications.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of Adrenocortical hormones, particularly focusing on Prednisone. It includes the mechanism of action, adverse effects, assessment strategies, and key patient teaching points. This will help you understand the clinical management and implications of using Prednisone in treatment.
