Description

Prednisone (Deltasone) is prescribed for a patient with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Which laboratory result will the nurse monitor to determine whether the medication has been effective? a. Blood glucose test b. Serum electrolyte levels c. Liver function tests d. C-reactive protein level The correct answer is: C-reactive protein level C-reactive protein is a marker for inflammation, and a decrease would indicate that the corticosteroid therapy was effective. Blood glucose and serum electrolyte levels also will be monitored to check for side effects of prednisone. Liver function is not routinely monitored for patients receiving steroids. The nurse at the eye clinic advises all patients to wearsunglasses that protect the eyes from ultraviolet light because ultraviolet sunlight exposure is associated with the development of a. cataracts. b. glaucoma. c. anisocoria. d. exophthalmos. The correct answer is: cataracts. Ultraviolet light exposure is associated with the accelerated development of cataracts. Glaucoma is caused by increased intraocular pressure, exophthalmos is associated with hyperthyroidism, and anisocoria can occur normally in a small percentage of the population or may be caused by injury or central nervous system disorders. In reviewing a 50-year-old patient's medical record, the nurse notes that the last eye examination revealed an intraocular pressure of 28 mm Hg. The nurse will plan to assess a. color perception. b. peripheral vision. c. visual acuity. d. pupil reaction. The correct answer is: peripheral vision. The patient's increased intraocular pressure indicates glaucoma, which decreases peripheral vision. Because central visual acuity is unchanged by glaucoma, assessment of visual acuity could be normal even if the patient has worsening glaucoma. Color perception and pupil reaction to light are not affected by glaucoma. A patient recovering from a gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) for treatment of a duodenal ulcer develops dizziness, weakness, and palpitations about 20 minutes after eating. To avoid recurrence of these symptoms, the nurse teaches the patient to a. choose foods that are high in carbohydrates. b. drink sugared fluids or eat candy after each meal. c. increase the amount of fluid intake with meals. d. lie down for about 30 minutes after eating. Answer is: lie down for about 30 minutes after eating. The patient is experiencing symptoms of dumping syndrome, which may be reduced by lying down after eating. Increasing fluid intake and choosing high carbohydrate foods will increase the risk for dumping syndrome. Having a sweet drink or hard candy will correct the hypoglycemia that is associated with dumping syndrome but will not prevent dumping synd