After receiving change-of-shift report about these four patients, which patient should the nurse assess first?

MATH: A client is to receive an insulin drip at 6 units per hour.  The pharmacy supplies insulin 100 units per 150 mL NS.  How many mL’s per hour should you set the pump?

A patient is taking high doses of prednisone to control the symptoms of an acute exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus. When teaching the patient about the use of prednisone, which information is most important for the nurse to include?

When a client eats a bag of potato chips, the nurse recognizes that hypernatremia is likely to occur if the client is experiencing a decreased production of which hormone?

The health care provider has ordered a serum cortisol level to rule out adrenal dysfunction in a client who is a night security guard who works from 11 PM to 7 AM and normally sleeps from 8 AM to 4 PM. When should the test be drawn to ensure the most reliable test results?

While taking a client’s blood pressure, who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse notices she is pale and has spasms of her hand. The nurse should notify the physician for which medication to be ordered? 

Which complication should the nurse monitor for in a patient undergoing a growth hormone stimulation test?

The health care provider orders an intravenous hydrocortisone infusion to be started prior to taking a client to surgery for a bilateral adrenalectomy. What is the rationale for the use of this drug?

A type 2 diabetic maintains control of their diabetes with diet and metformin (Glucophage). During an acute exacerbation of the client’s rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroids are ordered. The nurse recognizes that this situation may cause what physiological response in the client?

An external insulin pump is prescribed for a client with diabetes mellitus.  Which of the following statements made by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching done by the nurse?