Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on a femur fracture. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse in the medical surgical unit is caring for a patient with a pathological femur fracture. While reviewing the patient’s home medication list, the nurse recognizes which prescription can increase the risk of fractures?
| Home Prescriptions |
| Methylprednisolone 20mg PO once daily |
| Vitamin D3 50,000 IU PO once weekly |
| Clopidogrel 75 mg PO once daily |
| Disulfiram 500 mg PO once daily |
A. Methylprednisolone
B. Vitamin D3
C. Clopidogrel
D. Disulfiram
Scroll down for the correct answer!
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The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
A. Methylprednisolone
Rationale: Risk for fractures increases due to long-term use of glucocorticoid medications, such as methylprednisolone. Glucocorticoids can cause pathological fractures because they decrease osteoblast activity and increase osteoclast activity.
Main Takeaway
Risk for fractures increases due to factors that weaken the bone, like smoking, alcohol use, vitamin D deficiency, and long-term use of glucocorticoid medications. Also, advanced age and underlying conditions like osteoporosis increase the risk of fractures. Glucocorticoids, like methylprednisolone, can cause pathological fractures because they decrease osteoblast activity and increase osteoclast activity.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
B. Vitamin D3
Rationale: Vitamin D supplements do not increase the risk of fractures. Instead, having a vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of fractures.
C. Clopidogrel
Rationale: Clopidogrel does not increase the risk of fractures. It is a platelet inhibitor which can increase bleeding risk.
D. Disulfiram
Rationale: Disulfiram does not increase the risk of fractures. This is a medication mainly used to treat chronic alcoholism, which can increase the risk of fractures.
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Watch the Osmosis video: Hip fractures: Nursing
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