Question 1

Which are indications for glucocorticoid drugs? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Cerebral edema,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma,organ transplantation,spinal cord injury,and rhinitis are indications for glucocorticoid therapy.Glaucoma,varicella,and septicemia are contraindications to glucocorticoid therapy.

Question 2

Which is a true statement about prednisone (Winpred)?

Accepted Answer

Prednisone is the preferred oral glucocorticoid for anti-inflammatory purposes and is intermediate acting.

Question 3

What may be caused by systemically administered glucocorticoids?

Accepted Answer

Systemic glucocorticoid drugs may cause hyperkalemia.

Question 4

A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef)for Addison's disease.His wife is concerned about all the problems that may occur with this therapy.
Which is a true statement about fludrocortisone therapy?

Accepted Answer

To minimize gastrointestinal upset,patients receiving fludrocortisone should take it with food or milk.Hypotension is a sign and symptom of Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency; it will not result from taking fludrocortisone.Weight gain of more than 1 kg in 24 hours or 2.3 kg in 1 week should be reported to the physician.Abrupt withdrawal is not recommended,because it may precipitate an adrenal crisis.

Question 5

A patient is concerned about the body changes that have resulted from long-term prednisone (Winpred)therapy for the treatment of lupus erythematosus.Which effect of this drug therapy supports the nursing diagnosis of disturbed body image?

Accepted Answer

Facial erythema,weight gain,hirsutism,and "moon face" (characteristic of Cushing's syndrome)are body changes that may occur with long-term prednisone therapy.

Question 6

Which are contraindications to the administration of glucocorticoid drugs?

Accepted Answer

Contraindications to the administration of glucocorticoids include glaucoma,mental health illnesses,drug allergies,cataracts,peptic ulcer disease,and diabetes; glucocorticoids can intensify these diseases and conditions.These drugs are also often avoided in cases of infection.

Question 7

Which type of drugs can have an adverse interaction with corticosteroids?

Accepted Answer

The use of corticosteroids with NSAIDs produces adverse gastrointestinal effects.

Question 8

Which are the expected symptoms of undersecretion of adrenocortical hormones?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration and weight loss are associated with undersecretion of adrenocortical hormones (Addison's disease).

Question 9

What important information about taking adrenal drugs is appropriate for the nurse to give a patient?

Accepted Answer

After using the steroid inhalers,rinsing the oral cavity helps to prevent oral fungal infections from developing.Adrenal drugs should be taken with meals in order to minimize gastrointestinal upset and in the morning to minimize adrenal suppression.Adrenal drugs should be discontinued by weaning,not by stopping abruptly.

Quiz 34: Adrenal Drugs

Which are indications for glucocorticoid drugs? (Select all that apply.)

Which is a true statement about prednisone (Winpred) ?

What may be caused by systemically administered glucocorticoids?

A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef) for Addison's disease.His wife is concerned about all the problems that may occur with this therapy. Which is a true statement about fludrocortisone therapy?

A patient is concerned about the body changes that have resulted from long-term prednisone (Winpred) therapy for the treatment of lupus erythematosus.Which effect of this drug therapy supports the nursing diagnosis of disturbed body image?

Which are contraindications to the administration of glucocorticoid drugs?

Which type of drugs can have an adverse interaction with corticosteroids?

Which are the expected symptoms of undersecretion of adrenocortical hormones?

What important information about taking adrenal drugs is appropriate for the nurse to give a patient?