Chapter 33: Adrenal Drugs Test, Fludrocortisone, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
The key terms in this Pharmacology course include Adrenal Drugs Test, Fludrocortisone (Florinef), Addison’s Disease, Therapy, Gastrointestinal Upset, Therapy with Glucocorticoid Drugs, Infant, Methylprednisolone ( Solumedrol), Patient, Cushing’s syndrome, Nurse, Adrenal Cortex, Solu-medrol, Solu-cortef
A patient is taking fludrocortisone (Florinef) for Addison’s disease, and his wife is concerned about all of the problems that may occur with this therapy. When teaching them about therapy with this drug, the nurse will include which information?
It needs to be taken with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
Weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week is an expected adverse effect.
The medication needs to be stopped immediately if nausea or vomiting occurs.
It may cause severe postural hypotension.
Patients receiving fludrocortisone need to take it with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal upset; weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week needs to be reported to the physician; abrupt withdrawal is not recommended because it may precipitate an adrenal crisis. Adverse effects are related to the fluid retention and may include heart failure and hypertension.
The nurse is reviewing therapy with glucocorticoid drugs. Which conditions are indications for glucocorticoid drugs? (Select all that apply.)
Cerebral edema
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Septicemia
Organ transplantation
Varicella
An infant is to receive methylprednisolone ( Solumedrol ) 0.5 mg/kg IV every 6 hours. The infant weighs 14 lb. How many milligrams of medication will this infant receive per dose ? ( please record answer using one decimal place and end with mg.
3.2 mg
A patient has Cushing’s syndrome. The nurse expects which drug to be used to inhibit the function of the adrenal cortex in the treatment of this syndrome?
Hydrocortisone
Fludrocortisione
Aminoglutethimide
Dexamethasone
Is 20 mg of Solu-medrol equivalent to 4 mg of Solu-cortef?
True
False
Why is it important to instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after using an inhaled glucocorticoid for asthma?
a. To decrease the incidence of halitosis.
b. To decrease the incidence of hoarseness
c. To decrease the chance of oral candidiasis
d. To decrease the chance of aphthous stomatitis