Editing Pharmacology – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 4==
A client is taking prednisone 20 mg daily for a rheumatologic condition. Which client statement requires the nurse to intervene?
# "I take it with breakfast so it does not upset my stomach."
# "I am going to stop it on my own as soon as my joints feel better."
# "I check my blood sugar because this medicine can raise it."
# "I will call if I am around anyone with chickenpox or shingles."

'''Answer:''' 2 (B) "I am going to stop it on my own as soon as my joints feel better."

''Rationale:'' Corticosteroids suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use can cause acute adrenal insufficiency, which is life-threatening. The dose must be tapered under provider direction. Options 1, 3, and 4 are all correct: steroids are taken with food, they raise blood glucose, and they suppress immunity so exposure to infection must be reported.