A patient who has been taking glucocorticoids over the past 3 ...

[serike]

A patient who has been taking glucocorticoids over the past 3 months for Crohn's disease comes in for a follow-up visit.
 
  On assessment, the nurse notes facial edema, thinning extremities, and a fatty deposition (buffalo hump) on the scapular area. The patient reports the symptoms of the Crohn's disease are somewhat better. What will the nurse expect the treatment to be?
  a. Decrease the steroid dosage by one half.
  b. Increase the steroid dosage.
  c. Maintain the steroid dosage.
  d. Immediately stop the steroid dosage.

Question 2

What is the rationale for administering glucocorticoid therapy as an adjunct to chemotherapeutic agents?
 
  a. Assists with pain control
  b. Raises blood sugar to meet the increased metabolic needs
  c. Produces immunosuppression effects
  d. Reduces mucositis

[pami445]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Glucocorticoids are primarily used as anti-inflammatory agents. Because the symptoms are improving, the physician will most likely maintain the steroid dosage. Adverse effects are anticipated with corticosteroid therapy. Decreasing the dose will not help the condition. Increasing the dose will exacerbate the adverse effects, and the condition is improving with the current dosage. Stopping the dosage will not help the condition or the adverse effects.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Glucocorticoids have an anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic action. Suppression of inflammation resulting from cancer enhances the effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic agents. Glucocorticoids do not have an analgesic effect. Glucocorticoids increase blood glucose, but it is an adverse effect, not a primary effect. Glucocorticoids do not reduce mucositis.

[serike]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[jamesnevil303]

TYSM