Author Question: The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient prescribed prednisone to be taken on ... (Read 70 times)

mspears3 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient prescribed prednisone to be taken on alternate days. The patient asks why he cannot take half a pill every day. What is the nurse's best response?

A) To eliminate adverse side effects
B) To prolong therapeutic effects
C) To prevent steroid tolerance
D) To decrease adrenal suppression

Question 2

The pediatric patient has a fever and the nurse is preparing to administer an antipyretic. What drug would be the best choice for this patient?

A) Balsalazide (Colazal)
B) Naproxen (Naprosyn)
C) Indomethacin (Indocin)
D) Aspirin

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

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
Alternate-day maintenance therapy is used with short-acting drugs whenever possible to decrease the risk of adrenal suppression. Alternate-day therapy would not eliminate adverse effects or prolong therapeutic effects. There is no such thing as steroid tolerance.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Naproxen is approved for pediatric use and has antipyretic properties. Balsalazide is used to treat ulcerative colitis and would not be appropriate for treating a fever. Indomethacin has anti-inflammatory effects but does not have antipyretic effects. Aspirin would not be appropriate for treating a child with a fever of unknown origin due to risk of Reye's syndrome.