Chapter 34 Adrenal Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which is a true statement about prednisone (Winpred®)?
a. It is a short-acting glucocorticoid.
b. It has potent mineralocorticoid activity.
c. It is the preferred oral glucocorticoid for anti-inflammatory purposes.
d. It may be administered by inhalation for the treatment of bronchial asthma.
ANS C
Prednisone is the preferred oral glucocorticoid for anti-inflammatory purposes and is intermediate
acting.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
2. What important information about taking adrenal drugs is appropriate for the nurse to give a
patient?
a. To maximize their absorption, oral drugs should be taken before meals.
b. The patient should rinse the oral cavity after using the steroid inhalers.
c. Corticosteroids should be taken before bedtime to minimize adrenal suppression.
d. The medication is to be immediately discontinued if a weight gain of more than
2.25 kg occurs in 1 week.
ANS B
After using the steroid inhalers, rinsing the oral cavity helps to prevent oral fungal infections from
developing. Adrenal drugs
should be taken with meals in order to minimize gastrointestinal upset and in the morning to minimize
adrenal suppression. Adrenal drugs should be discontinued by weaning, not by stopping abruptly.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
, 3. Which type of drugs can have an adverse interaction with corticosteroids?
a. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
b. Antibiotics
c. Narcotic analgesics
d. Oral anticoagulants
ANS A
The use of corticosteroids with NSAIDs produces adverse gastrointestinal
effects. DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. A patient is concerned about the body changes that have resulted from long-term
prednisone (Winpred®) therapy for the treatment of lupus erythematosus. Which effect of this
drug therapy supports the nursing diagnosis of disturbed body image?
a. Weight
loss b.
Weight gain
c. Pale skin
colour d. Loss of
hair
ANS B
Facial erythema, weight gain, hirsutism, and “moon face” (characteristic of Cushing’s syndrome)
are body changes that may occur with long-term prednisone therapy.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
5. A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef®) for Addison’s disease. His wife is concerned about
all the problems that may occur
with this therapy.
Which is a true statement about fludrocortisone therapy?
a. It may cause severe postural hypotension.
b. To minimize gastrointestinal upset, the medication should be taken with food or
milk. c. The medication should be stopped immediately if nausea or vomiting occurs.
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which is a true statement about prednisone (Winpred®)?
a. It is a short-acting glucocorticoid.
b. It has potent mineralocorticoid activity.
c. It is the preferred oral glucocorticoid for anti-inflammatory purposes.
d. It may be administered by inhalation for the treatment of bronchial asthma.
ANS C
Prednisone is the preferred oral glucocorticoid for anti-inflammatory purposes and is intermediate
acting.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
2. What important information about taking adrenal drugs is appropriate for the nurse to give a
patient?
a. To maximize their absorption, oral drugs should be taken before meals.
b. The patient should rinse the oral cavity after using the steroid inhalers.
c. Corticosteroids should be taken before bedtime to minimize adrenal suppression.
d. The medication is to be immediately discontinued if a weight gain of more than
2.25 kg occurs in 1 week.
ANS B
After using the steroid inhalers, rinsing the oral cavity helps to prevent oral fungal infections from
developing. Adrenal drugs
should be taken with meals in order to minimize gastrointestinal upset and in the morning to minimize
adrenal suppression. Adrenal drugs should be discontinued by weaning, not by stopping abruptly.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
, 3. Which type of drugs can have an adverse interaction with corticosteroids?
a. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
b. Antibiotics
c. Narcotic analgesics
d. Oral anticoagulants
ANS A
The use of corticosteroids with NSAIDs produces adverse gastrointestinal
effects. DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. A patient is concerned about the body changes that have resulted from long-term
prednisone (Winpred®) therapy for the treatment of lupus erythematosus. Which effect of this
drug therapy supports the nursing diagnosis of disturbed body image?
a. Weight
loss b.
Weight gain
c. Pale skin
colour d. Loss of
hair
ANS B
Facial erythema, weight gain, hirsutism, and “moon face” (characteristic of Cushing’s syndrome)
are body changes that may occur with long-term prednisone therapy.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
5. A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef®) for Addison’s disease. His wife is concerned about
all the problems that may occur
with this therapy.
Which is a true statement about fludrocortisone therapy?
a. It may cause severe postural hypotension.
b. To minimize gastrointestinal upset, the medication should be taken with food or
milk. c. The medication should be stopped immediately if nausea or vomiting occurs.
