Deck 33: Adrenal Drugs

Question 1

A patient who has been on long-term corticosteroid therapy has had surgery to correct an abdominal hernia. The nurse keeps in mind that which potential effect of this medication may have the most impact on the patient's recovery?

A) Hypotension
B) Delayed wound healing
C) Muscle weakness
D) Osteoporosis

Answer 1

Delayed wound healing

Question 2

A patient has been admitted for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and will be receiving methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 30 mg intravenously every 6 hours. The medication is available in 40 mg/mL vials. Identify how many milliliters will the nurse draw up for this dose. _______

Answer 2

0.75 mL
40 mg:1 mL :: 30 mg:x mL.
(40 mg × x) = (1 × 30); 40x = 30; x = 0.75, therefore x = 0.75 mL.

Question 3

A patient will be starting therapy with a corticosteroid. The nurse reviews the prescriber'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

Answer 3

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Question 4

The nurse is administering an adrenal drug to a patient. Which action by the nurse is appropriate for this patient?

A) Administering oral adrenal 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

Question 5

A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef) 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 severe postural hypotension.
B) It needs to be taken with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
C) The medication needs to be stopped immediately if nausea or vomiting occurs.
D) Weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week is an expected adverse effect.

Question 6

When monitoring a patient who is taking a systemically administered glucocorticoid, the nurse will monitor for signs of which condition?

A) Dehydration
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypoglycemia

Question 7

The nurse expects that a patient is experiencing undersecretion of adrenocortical hormones when which conditions are found upon assessment?

A) Dehydration
B) Weight loss
C) Steroid psychosis
D) Increased potassium levels
E) Increased blood glucose levels
F) Decreased serum sodium levels

Question 8

The nurse is reviewing therapy with glucocorticoid drugs. Which conditions are indications for glucocorticoid drugs?

A) Glaucoma
B) Cerebral edema
C) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D) Organ transplantation
E) Varicella
F) Septicemia

Question 9

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

Question 10

A patient is concerned about the body changes that have resulted from long-term prednisone therapy for the treatment of asthma. Which expected effect of this drug therapy would cause a change in the patient's appearance?

A) Weight loss
B) Weight gain
C) Pale skin color
D) Hair loss