A nurse is caring for a client who is taking fluticasone due to chronic allergies. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Hypertension: Fluticasone, a corticosteroid, is not typically associated with causing hypertension directly. However, chronic use can lead to fluid retention and hypertension in some individuals, but it is not a primary concern compared to other side effects. B. Fungal infections: This is a significant adverse effect associated with inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone. Prolonged use can increase the risk of oral thrush and other fungal infections due to the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids. Monitoring for signs of infection is crucial. C. Decreased immunity: While long-term use of systemic corticosteroids can lead to decreased immune function, inhaled fluticasone is less likely to cause significant immunosuppression. However, it can still impact local immunity in the airways, making monitoring for infections more relevant than generalized immune suppression. D. Hypoglycemia: Fluticasone is not known to cause hypoglycemia. In fact, corticosteroids typically can lead to increased blood glucose levels rather than lowering them, especially with chronic use, making this option inaccurate in the context of monitoring for adverse effects.