A 35-year-old female patient taking oral contraceptives is ...

[lak]

A 35-year-old female patient taking oral contraceptives is prescribed steroid therapy. What is a priority teaching point for this patient?
 
  1. Consider adding another form of contraception while using both medications.
  2. These medications do not interact. No changes need to be made.
  3. Measure your weight daily.
  4. Avoid the use of salt.

Question 2

A patient comes into the emergency department with manifestations of Addisonian crisis. What should the nurse expect to provide to this patient?
 
  1. intravenous fluids
  2. warm blankets
  3. thyroid replacement hormone
  4. blood transfusion

[sailorcrescent]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Corticosteroids may impair the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Daily weights and limiting salt have nothing to do with the interaction of oral contraceptives and steroids.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
The patient with Addisonian crisis may have a high fever, weakness, abdominal pain, severe hypotension, circulatory collapse, shock, and coma. The crisis is treated with rapid intravenous replacement of fluids. The patient experiencing an Addisonian crisis may have a high fever, so warm blankets would not promote comfort or therapeutic action. There is no thyroid hormone insufficiency and no indications the patient is in need of a blood transfusion.