NURS 1566 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheets
(You will need to make additional copies of these forms)
Generic Name Trade Name Classification Dose Route Time/frequency
Prednisolone Norpred Antiasthmatics, 50 mg IV Q Day
corticosteroids
Peak Onset Duration Normal dosage range
1 hr Rapid Unknown 4-60 mg/day
Why is your patient getting this medication For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and/or solutions
Used systemically and locally in a wide variet of chronic Do not use the acetate form of this drug for IV
diseases including: Inflammatory, allergic, hematologic, administration. May be added to D5W or 0.9% NaCl
neoplastic, autoimmune disorders, asthma. RATE: No more than 10 mg/min
Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)
(Why med ordered) Contraindicated in active untreated infections. Known
In pharmacologic doses, all agents suppress alcohol, bisulfite, or tartrazine hypersensitivity or
inflammation and the normal immune response. All intolerance. Use cautiously in chronic treatment; Stress;
agents have numerous intense metabolic effects. supplemental doses may be needed.
Suppress adrenal function at chronic doses of rednisolone Common side effects
5 mg/day. Prednisolone have minimal mineralocorticoid Much more common with high-dose long term therapy—
activity. Suppression of inflammation and modification CNS: Depression, euphoria, headache, personality changes,
of the normal immune response. Replacement therapy in psychoses, restlessness. EENT: Cataracts, increased
adrenal insufficiency. intraocular pressure. CV: hypertension. GI: Peptic ulceration,
anorexia, nausea, vomiting. DERM: acne, decreased wound
healing, ecchymosis, fragility, hirsutism, petechiae. ENDO:
adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia. F and E: fluid retention,
hypokalemia, hypokalemic alkalosis. HEMAT:
Thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis. METAB: Weight gain.
MS: muscle wasting, osteoporosis, aseptic necrosis of joints,
muscle pain. MISC: cushingoid appearance (moon face,
buffalo hump), increased susceptibility to infection.
Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or herbal Lab value alterations caused by medicine
medicines (ask patient specifically) Monitor serum electrolytes and glucose, may cause
At chronic doses that suppress adrenal function, may hyperglycemia. Routine hematologic values, serum
decrease antibody response to and increase risk of electrolytes, and serum and urine glucose with long term
adverse reactions from live virus vaccines. May decrease treatment. May decrease WBCs. May decrease serum
salicylate levels and effectiveness. potassium and calcium and increase serum sodium
concentrations. May increase serum cholesterol and lipid
values. May decrease the uptake of thyroid. Periodic adenal
function tests should be ordered
Be sure to teach the patient the following about this
medication
Take as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered
unless almost time for the next dose. Do not abruptly stop
medication. Watch for signs of adrenal insufficiency.
Nursing Process- Assessment Assessment Evaluation
(Pre-administration assessment) Why would you hold or not give this Check after giving
Assess involved systems before and med? Decrease in presenting
periodically during therapy. Assess for signs Signs or symptoms of adrenal symptoms with minimal
of adrenal insufficiency (hypotension, weigh insufficiency systemic side effects.
loss, weakness, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, Supression of the inflammatory
lethargy, confusion, restlessness) before and immune responses.
administering. Monitor I & O and daily
weights. Observe for peripheral edema, steady
weight gain, rales/crackles, or dyspnea
