Author Question: The nurse is caring for a client taking corticosteroids for immune suppression. Which laboratory ... (Read 59 times)

vicotolentino · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a client taking corticosteroids for immune suppression. Which laboratory value indicates the medication treatment is successful?

1. increased lymphocytes and decreased monocytes
2. increased monocytes and decreased lymphocytes
3. increased numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes
4. decreased numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes

Question 2

Which diagnostic test is the most helpful in distinguishing primary from secondary adrenocortical insufficiency?

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
2. A computed tomography (CT) scan
3. Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn)
4. Dexamethasone (Decadron)

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

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Increased lymphocytes would not indicate that treatment is successful.
Rationale 2: Increased monocytes would not indicate that treatment is successful.
Rationale 3: Increased lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes would not indicate that treatment is successful.
Rationale 4: Decreased numbers of circulating lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes would indicate immune suppression.
Global Rationale: Decreased numbers of circulating lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes would indicate immune suppression.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: An MRI does not distinguish primary from secondary adrenocortical insufficiency.
Rationale 2: A CT scan does not distinguish primary from secondary adrenocortical insufficiency.
Rationale 3: The primary use of cosyntropin (Cortrosyn) is to diagnose adrenal disorders.
Rationale 4: Dexamethasone (Decadron) is not used to diagnose adrenal disorders.
Global Rationale: The primary use of cosyntropin (Cortrosyn) is to diagnose adrenal disorders. MRI, CT scan, and dexamethasone are not used to diagnose adrenal disorders.