A male patient has been on chronic corticosteroid therapy for ...

[Pineappleeh]

A male patient has been on chronic corticosteroid therapy for several years and has been scheduled for a colonoscopy. How should the patient's corticosteroid therapy be altered to accommodate this impending stressful event?
 
  A) The patient should stop taking the corticosteroid 7 days prior to the procedure.
  B) The patient should continue taking the regular dose of his corticosteroid.
  C) The patient should temporarily change to IV administration of his corticosteroid.
  D) The patient should temporarily take a higher dose of his corticosteroid.

Question 2

A patient is administered a benzodiazepine for anxiety. Which of the following will place the patient at risk for benzodiazepine toxicity?
 
  A) Decreased albumin
  B) Increased calcium
  C) Decreased potassium
  D) Low bicarbonate

[macagnavarro]

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
For people receiving chronic corticosteroid therapy, dosage must be increased during periods of stress or illness. Some common sources of stress for most people include surgery and anesthesia, infections, anxiety, and extremes of temperature.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
Patients with liver disease are at risk for adverse effects with drugs that are highly bound to plasma proteins. Increased calcium will not contribute to benzodiazepine toxicity. Decreased potassium will not have a direct impact on benzodiazepine toxicity. The normal bicarbonate will not contribute to benzodiazepine toxicity.

[Pineappleeh]

Gracias!

[bdobbins]

TYSM