D
Glucocorticoids can cause gastrointestinal (GI) distress and should be given with milk or food. They
should not be administered with coffee, which contains caffeine and may increase gastric irritation. The
best time to give exogenous glucocorticoids is early in the morning (6 AM to 9 AM) to minimize the
amount of adrenal suppression. These medications should be tapered off slowly to prevent adrenal crisis
and can be administered intravenously (IV). - ✅✅Based on the nurse's knowledge of glucocorticoids,
what instructions should be given for this drug?
Take the medication every evening.
Inform the patient that the drug can be taken with coffee.
Advise that the drug does not have to be tapered before stopped.
Advise to take drug with milk, other dairy products, or food.
B - ✅✅When discussing glucocorticoids to a patient, what statement by the nurse is accurate
regarding the action of these medications?
They decrease serum sodium and glucose levels.
They regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
They stimulate defense mechanisms to produce immunity.
They are produced in lower amounts during times of stress.
C - ✅✅The nurse would question a prescription for steroids in a patient with which condition?
Asthma
Spinal cord injury
Diabetes mellitus
Rheumatoid arthritis