C HAPTER 37: C ORTICOSTEROIDS
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching plan for a patient
asking about the use of salt substitutes while on a sodium -restricted diet?
a. Salt substitutes may be high in potassium and should be used
sparingl y.
b. Salt substitutes are safe for unlimited use.
c. The salt y flavour is reduced, so additional amounts are needed for
desired flavour.
d. Salt substitutes may interact with the patient’s medications.
ANS: A
Potassium restrictions may be indicated if the patient is taking a potassium -
sparing diuretic. Salt substitutes may be high in potassium; therefore, their
use must be limited. Salt substitutes tend to have a saltier taste than sodium
chloride, so reduced amounts are needed to provide desired flavour. It is
unlikel y that salt substitute will interact with patients ’ medications.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 608 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Safet y | Nutrition | Patient Education
2. Which t ype of psychiatric complication may be develop when a patient is
on a high dos age of corticosteroids over a period of time?
, a. Lethargy
b. Ps ychotic behaviours
c. Manic phases
d. Anxiet y attacks
ANS: B
A patient receiving a higher dosage of corticosteroids is susceptible to
ps ychotic behavioural changes. the most susceptible patient is o ne with
previous histories of mental dysfunction. Perform a baseline assessment of
the patient’s abilit y to respond rationall y to the environment and the
diagnosis of the underl ying disease. Lethargy, mania, and anxiet y are not
common complications of trea tment with corticosteroids.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 612 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Hormonal Regulation | Psychosis | Safet y
3. Which rationale explains the need for monitoring vital signs of patients
receiving corticosteroids?
a. Orthostatic hypotension
b. Malignant hyperthermia
c. Infection
d. Hypergl ycemia
ANS: C
Patients receiving corticosteroids are more susceptible to infection, and feve r
is often an earl y indicator of infection. Glucocorticoids, however, sometimes
suppress a febrile response to infection. Orthostatic hypotension is not a
common adverse effect of treatment with corticosteroids. Malignant
hyperthermia is an anesthetic -related complication. Hypergl ycemia is a
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching plan for a patient
asking about the use of salt substitutes while on a sodium -restricted diet?
a. Salt substitutes may be high in potassium and should be used
sparingl y.
b. Salt substitutes are safe for unlimited use.
c. The salt y flavour is reduced, so additional amounts are needed for
desired flavour.
d. Salt substitutes may interact with the patient’s medications.
ANS: A
Potassium restrictions may be indicated if the patient is taking a potassium -
sparing diuretic. Salt substitutes may be high in potassium; therefore, their
use must be limited. Salt substitutes tend to have a saltier taste than sodium
chloride, so reduced amounts are needed to provide desired flavour. It is
unlikel y that salt substitute will interact with patients ’ medications.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 608 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Safet y | Nutrition | Patient Education
2. Which t ype of psychiatric complication may be develop when a patient is
on a high dos age of corticosteroids over a period of time?
, a. Lethargy
b. Ps ychotic behaviours
c. Manic phases
d. Anxiet y attacks
ANS: B
A patient receiving a higher dosage of corticosteroids is susceptible to
ps ychotic behavioural changes. the most susceptible patient is o ne with
previous histories of mental dysfunction. Perform a baseline assessment of
the patient’s abilit y to respond rationall y to the environment and the
diagnosis of the underl ying disease. Lethargy, mania, and anxiet y are not
common complications of trea tment with corticosteroids.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 612 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Hormonal Regulation | Psychosis | Safet y
3. Which rationale explains the need for monitoring vital signs of patients
receiving corticosteroids?
a. Orthostatic hypotension
b. Malignant hyperthermia
c. Infection
d. Hypergl ycemia
ANS: C
Patients receiving corticosteroids are more susceptible to infection, and feve r
is often an earl y indicator of infection. Glucocorticoids, however, sometimes
suppress a febrile response to infection. Orthostatic hypotension is not a
common adverse effect of treatment with corticosteroids. Malignant
hyperthermia is an anesthetic -related complication. Hypergl ycemia is a
