What is important to teach a client with adrenal insufficiency who has a prescription for prednisone?
1. Be sure to include foods that are low in potassium in the diet.
2. Slowly change positions to avoid dizziness and fainting.
3. Watch for signs of low blood sugar: headache, shakiness, and diaphoresis.
4. Signs of fluid retention may occur while taking this drug.
Rationale (4)
Report any excessive weight gain or swelling to the health care provider, because they may indicate an adverse effect of the medication. The client taking prednisone needs to consume a high potassium diet, as prednisone causes hypokalemia. Hypertension, not orthostatic hypotension, is a side effect of taking glucocortocoids. Hyperglycemia can occur with prednisone use, not hypoglycemia. (Lehne, 7 ed., pp. 854-855.)