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?

The nurse is caring for a client with severe acute pancreatitis. Which interventions should the nurse prioritize? Select all that apply.

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 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 56-year-old female with a diagnosis of breast cancer has developed bone metastases that her oncologist would like to treat with radiation therapy. What is her physician’s most likely primary goal in the treatment plan of the metastases?

A 53-year-old woman with a history of chronic alcohol abuse but without visible jaundice comes to the clinic complaining of nausea and weakness. She admits to taking acetaminophen for persistent headaches but denies exceeding the recommended daily dose; she has not taken any other medications. She is suspected of having acetaminophen toxicity. Which diagnostic test finding would implicate a different cause of her symptoms?

The nurse is teaching a client about the risk for venous thrombosis and venous thromboemboli as part of discharge instructions. What should the nurse include when teaching the client? Select all that apply.

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?

A 16-year-old boy has been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Which etiology is responsible for his health problem?

Which statement best captures an aspect of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system?