Author Question: A patient will require a long course of steroids to treat a chronic inflammatory condition. The ... (Read 45 times)

scienceeasy · **on:** Jul 24, 2018

A patient will require a long course of steroids to treat a chronic inflammatory condition. The primary care NP expects the specialist to order:

a. prednisone daily.
b. triamcinolone daily.
c. hydrocortisone every other day.
d. dexamethasone every other day.

Question 2

A patient who has cerebral palsy is wheelchair dependent and receives enteral nutrition via a gastrostomy tube. The patient has infrequent, hard bowel movements despite using a high-fiber formula and receiving 1500 mL of fluid per day.

The NP should order: a. bisacodyl (Dulcolax).
b. docusate sodium (Colace).
c. polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX).
d. sodium phosphate (Fleets) enema.

skipfourms123 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Hydrocortisone is a short-acting glucocorticoid. The use of a short-acting agent and an alternate-day dosage regimen should be considered for long-term therapy. Prednisone and triamcinolone are medium-acting glucocorticoids. Dexamethasone is a long-acting glucocorticoid.

Answer to Question 2

C
Fluids, fiber, and exercise, which help most people, are not applicable to people who are wheelchair bound. Other individuals with congestive heart failure are unable to tolerate these mechanisms. Osmotic laxatives, such as polyethylene glycol are used to manage long-term constipation. It is essential for clinicians to know their patients and assess what is reasonable for them to do.