Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient is taking fludrocortisone for Addison ’s disease, and his wife is
concerned about all of the problems that may occur with this therapy.
When teaching them about therapy with this drug, the nurse will include
which information?
a. It may cause sever e postural hypotension.
b. It needs to be taken with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal
upset.
c. The medication needs to be stopped immediatel y if nausea or
vomiting occurs.
d. Weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week is an expected adverse
effect.
ANS: B
Patients receiving fludrocortisone need to take it with food or milk to
minimize gastrointestinal upset; weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1
week needs to be reported to the physician; abrupt withdrawal is not
recommended because it may precipitate an ad renal crisis. Adverse
effects are related to the fluid retention and may include heart failure
and hypertension.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
, 2. When monitoring a patient who is taking a systemicall y administered
glucocorticoid, the nurse will monitor for signs of which condition?
a. Dehydration
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hyponatremia
d. Hypogl ycemia
ANS: B
Systemic glucocorticoid drugs may cause pot assium depletion,
hypergl ycemia, and hypernatremia. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
3. A glucocorticoid is prescribed for a patient. The nurse checks the patient ’s
medical history knowing that glucocorticoid therapy is contraindicated in
which disorder?
a. Cerebral edema
b. Peptic ulcer disease
c. Tuberculous meningitis
d. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
ANS: B
Contraindications to the administration of glucocorticoids include drug
allergy and may include cataracts, glaucoma, peptic ulcer disease,
mental health problems, and diabetes mellitus. The other options are
indications for glucocorticoids.