C HAPTER 30: A LTERATIONS IN I MMUNE
F UNCTION
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What should the nurse include in a teaching plan for a mother of a toddler who
will be taking prednisone for several months?
a. The medication should be taken between meals.
b. The medication needs to be discontinued because of the risks associated
with long-term usage.
c. The medication should not be stopped abruptly.
d. The medication may lower blood glucose so the mother needs to observe
the child for signs of hypoglycemia.
ANS: C
The dosage must be tapered before the drug is discontinued to allow the
gradual return of function in the pituitary-adrenal axis. Prednisone should be
taken with food to minimize or prevent gastrointestinal bleeding. Although
there are adverse effects from long-term steroid use, the medication must not
be discontinued without consulting a physician. Acute adrenal insufficiency
can occur if the medication is withdrawn abruptly. The dosage needs to be
tapered. The medication puts the child at risk for hyperglycemia, not
hypoglycemia.
2. A nurse assesses a child on long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy for which
condition?
a. Hypotension
, b. Dilation of blood vessels in the cheeks
c. Growth delays
d. Decreased appetite and weight loss
ANS: C
Growth delay is associated with long-term steroid use related to protein
catabolism and decreased growth hormone. Hypertension is a clinical
manifestation of long-term systemic steroid administration. Dilation of blood
vessels in the cheeks is associated with an excess of topically administered
steroids. Increased appetite and weight gain are clinical manifestations of
excess systemic corticosteroid therapy.
3. Which statement by the parent of a 5-year-old child with acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) regarding prescribed antiretroviral agents
indicates that she has a good understanding of disease management?
a. When my childs pain increases, I double the recommended do sage of
antiretroviral medication.
b. Addiction is a risk, so I use the medication only as ordered.
c. Doses of the antiretroviral medication are selected on the basis of my
childs age and growth.
d. By the time my child is an adolescent, she will not need her ant iretroviral
medications any longer.
ANS: C
Doses of antiretroviral medication to treat HIV infection for infants and
children are based on individualized age and growth considerations.
Antiretroviral medications are not administered for pain relief. Doub ling the
recommended dosage of any medication is not appropriate without an order
F UNCTION
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What should the nurse include in a teaching plan for a mother of a toddler who
will be taking prednisone for several months?
a. The medication should be taken between meals.
b. The medication needs to be discontinued because of the risks associated
with long-term usage.
c. The medication should not be stopped abruptly.
d. The medication may lower blood glucose so the mother needs to observe
the child for signs of hypoglycemia.
ANS: C
The dosage must be tapered before the drug is discontinued to allow the
gradual return of function in the pituitary-adrenal axis. Prednisone should be
taken with food to minimize or prevent gastrointestinal bleeding. Although
there are adverse effects from long-term steroid use, the medication must not
be discontinued without consulting a physician. Acute adrenal insufficiency
can occur if the medication is withdrawn abruptly. The dosage needs to be
tapered. The medication puts the child at risk for hyperglycemia, not
hypoglycemia.
2. A nurse assesses a child on long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy for which
condition?
a. Hypotension
, b. Dilation of blood vessels in the cheeks
c. Growth delays
d. Decreased appetite and weight loss
ANS: C
Growth delay is associated with long-term steroid use related to protein
catabolism and decreased growth hormone. Hypertension is a clinical
manifestation of long-term systemic steroid administration. Dilation of blood
vessels in the cheeks is associated with an excess of topically administered
steroids. Increased appetite and weight gain are clinical manifestations of
excess systemic corticosteroid therapy.
3. Which statement by the parent of a 5-year-old child with acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) regarding prescribed antiretroviral agents
indicates that she has a good understanding of disease management?
a. When my childs pain increases, I double the recommended do sage of
antiretroviral medication.
b. Addiction is a risk, so I use the medication only as ordered.
c. Doses of the antiretroviral medication are selected on the basis of my
childs age and growth.
d. By the time my child is an adolescent, she will not need her ant iretroviral
medications any longer.
ANS: C
Doses of antiretroviral medication to treat HIV infection for infants and
children are based on individualized age and growth considerations.
Antiretroviral medications are not administered for pain relief. Doub ling the
recommended dosage of any medication is not appropriate without an order
