Lilley Pharm Ch. 33
1. 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 maximize 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 - ANSANS: B
After the patient has used the corticosteroid inhalers, cleaning the oral cavity helps to prevent
possible oral fungal infections from developing. Adrenal drugs need be taken with meals to
minimize gastrointestinal upset and in the mornings to minimize adrenal suppression, and they
need to be discontinued by weaning, not abruptly.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 530
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. 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. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
b. Antibiotics
c. Opioid analgesics
d. Antidepressants - ANSANS: A
The use of corticosteroids with aspirin, other NSAIDs, and other ulcerogenic drugs produces
additive gastrointestinal effects and an increased chance for the development of gastric ulcers.
The other options are incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 526
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. 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 diagnosis of disturbed body image?
a. Weight loss
b. Weight gain
c. Pale skin color
d. Hair loss - ANSANS: B
Facial erythema, weight gain, hirsutism, and "moon face" (characteristic of Cushing's syndrome)
are possible body changes that may occur with long-term prednisone therapy.
1. 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 maximize 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 - ANSANS: B
After the patient has used the corticosteroid inhalers, cleaning the oral cavity helps to prevent
possible oral fungal infections from developing. Adrenal drugs need be taken with meals to
minimize gastrointestinal upset and in the mornings to minimize adrenal suppression, and they
need to be discontinued by weaning, not abruptly.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 530
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. 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. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
b. Antibiotics
c. Opioid analgesics
d. Antidepressants - ANSANS: A
The use of corticosteroids with aspirin, other NSAIDs, and other ulcerogenic drugs produces
additive gastrointestinal effects and an increased chance for the development of gastric ulcers.
The other options are incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 526
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. 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 diagnosis of disturbed body image?
a. Weight loss
b. Weight gain
c. Pale skin color
d. Hair loss - ANSANS: B
Facial erythema, weight gain, hirsutism, and "moon face" (characteristic of Cushing's syndrome)
are possible body changes that may occur with long-term prednisone therapy.
