MEDICATIONS (a)
Student: Maria Chavarria
Drug
Dosage, Route,
& Frequency
Client Information:
Classification
Generic:
Prednisone
Client:
5mg PO daily
Brand:
DELTASONE
Usual:
Therapeutic
5-60mg by mouth Action:
daily
Not clearly
defined. Decreases
inflammation,
mainly by
stabilizing
leukocyte
lysosomal
membranes;
suppresses
immune response;
stimulates bone
marrow; and
influences protein,
fat, and
carbohydrate
metabolism.
Pharmacologic
Classification:
adrenocorticoid
MG, 5B03-03
Allergies: Aspirin, ACE inhibitor
Purpose of the Drug
Specific to this Client:
Antinflammatory
Usual:
Antinflammatory,
immunosuppression
Date:
02/26/11
Nursing Implications
Side Effects/Adverse Reactions:
CNS: euphoria.
CV: heart failure.
Metabolic: hypokalemia,
Musculoskeletal: growth
suppression in children, muscle
weakness, osteoporosis.
Nursing Considerations:
-Determine whether patient is
sensitive to other corticosteroids.
-Drug may be used for alternateday therapy.
-Always adjust to lowest
effective dose.
-Unless contraindicated, give
low-sodium diet that’s high in
potassium and protein.
-Gradually reduce dosage after
long-term therapy.
References: Kluwer, W. (2010). Nursing 2011 drug handbook (31st Ed.). Philadelphia, PA: LWW.