What should the nurse include in a teaching plan for the 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 if side effects appear.
C) The medication should not be stopped abruptly.
D) The medication may lower blood glucose.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

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must not be discontinued without consulting a physician.Acute adrenal insufficiency can occur if the medication is withdrawn abruptly.The dosage needs to be tapered.The medication puts the child at risk for hyperglycemia.

What Should the Nurse Include in a Teaching Plan for the Mother