Author Question: A patient has symptoms of adrenocorticoid insufficiency and is having diagnostic testing with ... (Read 24 times)

armygirl · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient has symptoms of adrenocorticoid insufficiency and is having diagnostic testing with administration of cosyntropin (Cortrosyn). The nurse would evaluate that this test shows secondary adrenocortical insufficiency if which result occurs?

1. The patient's plasma level of cortisol rises after injection.
2. The patient has carpal spasms following injection.
3. The patient's urine cortisol fails to rise after injection.
4. The patient flushes after injection.

Question 2

The client receives zaleplon (Sonata) for sleep. What is the priority teaching by the nurse at the time of discharge?

1. This drug can be taken indefinitely.
2. Drinking a cup of tea with this drug will promote relaxation.
3. It will take about a week for this drug to be effective.
4. Avoid taking OTC sleep-inducing antihistamines.

memslove · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

1
Rationale 1: If the adrenal gland responds by secreting corticosteroids after the cosyntropin injection, the pathology lies at the level of the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary adrenocortical insufficiency).
Rationale 2: Carpal spasms are not related to this test.
Rationale 3: The test involves plasma levels of cortisol.
Rationale 4: Flushing is not related to this test.

Global Rationale: If the adrenal gland responds by secreting corticosteroids after the cosyntropin injection, the pathology lies at the level of the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary adrenocortical insufficiency). Carpal spasms and flushing are not related to this test. The test involves plasma levels of cortisol.

Answer to Question 2

4

Rationale 1:This drug can be taken indefinitely is incorrect because zaleplon is indicated for short-term treatment of insomnia, and works immediately.
Rationale 2:Drinking a cup of tea with this drug will promote relaxation is incorrect because tea contains caffeine, a stimulant. Drinking tea with zaleplon will reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Rationale 3:It will take about a week for this drug to be effective is incorrect because zaleplon is indicated for short-term treatment of insomnia, and works immediately.
Rationale 4: Combining OTC sleep-inducing antihistamines with zaleplon can cause excessive drowsiness.

Global Rationale: Combining OTC sleep-inducing antihistamines with zaleplon can cause excessive drowsiness. This drug can be taken indefinitely is incorrect because zaleplon is indicated for short-term treatment of insomnia, and works immediately. Drinking a cup of tea with this drug will promote relaxation is incorrect because tea contains caffeine, a stimulant. Drinking tea with zaleplon will reduce the effectiveness of the drug. It will take about a week for this drug to be effective is incorrect because zaleplon is indicated for short-term treatment of insomnia, and works immediately.