Questions: A nurse is teaching a client who is taking prednisone for acute asthma exacerbation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? "Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication." "Rinse your mouth after taking the medication to prevent a yeast infection." "Stop taking the medication if you become nauseous:" "Change position slowly when standing up." continue

The answer is the first one: "Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication."

Explanation for each option:

1. "Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication."
   This is correct. Prednisone is a corticosteroid, and taking it with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation or ulcers. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid NSAIDs while on prednisone.

2. "Rinse your mouth after taking the medication to prevent a yeast infection."
   This instruction is typically associated with inhaled corticosteroids, not oral prednisone. Inhaled corticosteroids can lead to oral thrush, a yeast infection, if the mouth is not rinsed after use. Prednisone, being an oral medication, does not require this precaution.

3. "Stop taking the medication if you become nauseous."
   This is incorrect. Prednisone should not be stopped abruptly without consulting a healthcare provider, as it can lead to withdrawal symptoms and adrenal insufficiency. Nausea should be reported to a healthcare provider, but it is not a reason to stop the medication without guidance.

4. "Change position slowly when standing up."
   This advice is more relevant for medications that cause orthostatic hypotension, such as certain blood pressure medications. Prednisone does not typically cause this side effect, so this instruction is not necessary.

In summary, the most appropriate instruction for a client taking prednisone is to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication to prevent gastrointestinal complications.