The most important nursing intervention on a patient receiving prednisolone:

Question

Question

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Check blood sugar hourly

Rationale:

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid medication used to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammation, allergic reactions, and autoimmune diseases. One of the significant side effects of corticosteroids like prednisolone is their impact on blood glucose levels.
Corticosteroids can induce hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) by increasing gluconeogenesis in the liver and reducing the sensitivity of tissues to insulin.
Monitoring blood sugar levels hourly in patients receiving prednisolone is crucial to detect and manage hyperglycemia promptly, preventing potential complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.
Regular blood sugar checks allow healthcare providers to adjust medication dosages or introduce insulin therapy if necessary to maintain optimal glucose levels.

Explanation of Other Options:

Check urine output hourly

Rationale: While monitoring urine output is important in many clinical scenarios, it is not directly related to the primary side effects of prednisolone. Urine output monitoring is more relevant in conditions involving fluid balance and kidney function.

Check hourly urine specific gravity

Rationale: Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, which can indicate hydration status and kidney function. However, it is not directly related to the side effects of prednisolone and would not provide specific information about blood sugar levels.

Check blood level of the drug

Rationale: Monitoring the blood level of prednisolone is not a common practice in clinical settings. The therapeutic and toxic effects of prednisolone are generally monitored through clinical signs and symptoms rather than direct measurement of drug levels.

Conclusion:

Among the given options, checking blood sugar levels hourly is the most important nursing intervention for a patient receiving prednisolone. This monitoring helps in early detection and management of hyperglycemia, a common and potentially serious side effect of corticosteroid therapy.