A client with severe dermatitis from poison ivy has been pre…

A client with severe dermatitis from poison ivy has been prescribed prednisone, a corticosteroid, for the treatment of his skin condition. The client has been informed to gradually taper off rather than abruptly stop the prednisone. What is the most accurate rationale for this dosing protocol?

A client with pancreatic cancer is admitted for portal hyper…

A client with pancreatic cancer is admitted for portal hypertension and is symptomatic with ascites. Following paracentesis and removal of 7.5 L of ascitic fluid, the nurse should anticipate that the physician will order which medication to assist in maintaining an effective circulating fluid volume?

During assessment of a client with systemic lupus erythemato…

During assessment of a client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the nurse hears a friction rub when the stethoscope is placed over the heart. Which complication of SLE will the nurse document in the medical records and report to the health care provider?

A 13-year-old girl and her father come in to the local healt…

A 13-year-old girl and her father come in to the local health clinic hoping to see an orthopedic doctor about the girl’s stiff and warm knee. The father reports that she hurt it sliding into base during a softball game, and the daughter concurs, but with further discussion it becomes clear that the slide made an existing pain worse. Her knee had been stiff, warm, and shiny, and had been keeping her awake at night for a week or so before the game. What might be the cause of the girl’s symptoms?

A 35-year-old woman who has been in recovery from alcoholism…

A 35-year-old woman who has been in recovery from alcoholism for 2 years presents at her primary care physician’s office with chronic hip pain. She reports that as part of her commitment to recovery, she began exercising regularly about a year earlier. After a month or two, her hip began to hurt when she ran on the treadmill. She stretches, has had a physical trainer check her form to ensure that it is correct, and rests adequately between each workout. Six months ago the pain began waking her at night, and now it is constant. She is not aware of any injury to her hip and has no other outward symptoms. What is most likely to be the cause of her pain?

A 60 year-old man has long managed his type 1 diabetes effec…

A 60 year-old man has long managed his type 1 diabetes effectively with a combination of vigilant blood sugar monitoring, subcutaneous insulin administration, and conscientious eating habits. This morning, however, his wife has noted that he appears pale and clammy and appears to be in a stupor, though he is responsive. She suspects that he has made an error in his insulin administration and that he is experiencing a hypoglycemic episode. Which action should be the wife’s first choice?