Question

A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has multiple sclerosis and a new prescription for methylprednisolone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply).

a) "Take the medication with food or milk."
b) "Avoid contact with individuals who have respiratory infections."
c) "Limit intake of foods high in potassium."
d) "Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to prevent dizziness."
e) "Report any signs of black, tarry stools or bloody vomit."

Answer 1

The nurse should advise the MS patient taking methylprednisolone to take it with food or milk, avoid people with respiratory infections, report any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, and rise slowly to prevent dizziness. Limiting potassium is not commonly instructed.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse educating a client with multiple sclerosis (MS) on methylprednisolone therapy needs to include several important instructions due to the immunosuppressive and metabolic effects of this corticosteroid. The following instructions should be included:

• “Take the medication with food or milk.” This helps to avoid stomach irritation that corticosteroids may cause.
• “Avoid contact with individuals who have respiratory infections.” Since methylprednisolone suppresses the immune system, the risk of contracting infections is higher.
• “Report any signs of black, tarry stools or bloody vomit.” These symptoms could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious side effect of corticosteroid therapy.
• ”Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to prevent dizziness.” Corticosteroids can cause fluctuations in blood pressure, leading to dizziness.

Regarding option (c), “Limit intake of foods high in potassium,” this is generally not advised. Instead, patients may need to monitor their potassium levels as corticosteroids can cause low potassium. However, this is not an instruction that is typically given unless specifically indicated by the provider.