Author Question: A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students why glucocorticoids are preferred over nonsteroidal ... (Read 56 times)

segrsyd · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students why glucocorticoids are preferred over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of inflammation. Which statement by a student indicates a need for further teaching?

a. Glucocorticoids act by multiple mechanisms and have more anti-inflammatory effects than NSAIDs.
b. Glucocorticoids have fewer side effects than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
c. Glucocorticoids help avert damage to tissues from lysosomal enzymes.
d. Glucocorticoids reduce the immune component of inflammation.

Question 2

A clinic patient who has been taking a glucocorticoid for arthritis for several months remarks to the nurse, It's a good thing my symptoms are better, because my mother has been quite ill, and I have to take care of her.

The patient's blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg. The nurse will report this to the provider and ask about:
a. reducing the patient's dose.
b. using every other day dosing.
c. increasing the patient's dose.
d. tapering the dose.

jaykayy05 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Glucocorticoids have many side effects. They are used because of their multiple mechanisms of action, including their ability to limit tissue damage caused by the inflammatory process and suppression of the immune component of inflammation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Because of their adrenal suppression, patients taking glucocorticoids long term require increased doses at times of stress and even for a time after stopping the drug until adrenal function returns. This patient's lower blood pressure is an indication that glucocorticoid levels may be depleted. Reducing the dose would only exacerbate the patient's problems. Every other day dosing is used early in glucocorticoid therapy to reduce adrenal suppression, but it would not be useful now. Tapering of doses is used to allow adrenal function to recover as the drug is discontinued.