A nurse caring for a patient with Cushing Syndrome who must remain on continued glucocorticoid therapy for another health problem will use which of the following actions to prevent harm?

Choice A rationale Continued glucocorticoid therapy can cause fluid retention and hypertension due to the drug's mineralocorticoid effects. Urging the patient to salt their food would exacerbate this by increasing sodium intake, leading to further fluid retention and potentially worsening cardiovascular complications. Choice B rationale Glucocorticoids can cause a thinning of the skin and fragility of subcutaneous tissues, a condition known as skin atrophy. Using adhesive methods to secure an IV can cause skin tearing and injury upon removal, so non-adhesive methods are crucial to prevent harm and maintain skin integrity. Choice C rationale Taking the medication every other day is a common strategy to reduce the risk of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, but it does not prevent all side effects. This method is more for long-term HPA axis management and is not the primary action to prevent harm from the metabolic effects. Choice D rationale Glucocorticoids can induce hyperglycemia by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Therefore, monitoring for glucose in the urine is a critical action to detect early signs of hyperglycemia and prevent complications such as diabetes mellitus.