Corticosteroids

Question 1

Corticosteroids (adverse effects; cardiovascular)

Answer 1

• heart failure
• edema
• hypertension
• hypokalemia
• hypernatremia

Question 2

Corticosteroids (adverse effects; central nervous)

Answer 2

• convulsions
• headache
• vertigo
• mood swings
• psychic impairment
• nervousness
• insomnia

Question 3

Corticosteroids (adverse effects: endocrine)

Answer 3

• growth suppression
• Cushing’s syndrome
• menstrual irregularities
• carbohydrate intolerance
• hyperglycemia
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression

Question 4

Corticosteroids (adverse effects; gastrointestinal)

Answer 4

• peptic ulcer
• pancreatitis
• ulcerative esophagitis
• abdominal distension
• weight gain

Question 5

Corticosteroids (adverse effects; integumentary)

Answer 5

• fragile skin
• petechiae
• ecchymosis
• facial erythema
• poor wound healing
• hirsutism
• urticaria

Question 6

Corticosteroids (adverse effects; musculoskeletal)

Answer 6

muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis

Question 7

Corticosteroids (ocular)

Answer 7

increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, cataracts

Question 8

Corticosteroid (routes)

Answer 8

• intranasal
• inhalation: inhaled steroids used for asthma-rinse mouth after use
• topical: ear, eye, skin
• IV
• injectable

Question 9

Corticosteroids (contraindications)

Answer 9

• known drug allergy
• cataracts
• glaucoma
• peptic ulcer disease
• mental health diseases
• use caution with diabetes
• use caution with infection
• use caution with cardiac, renal, or liver disease

Question 10

Corticosteroids (common names)

Answer 10

end in -sone or -lone
- betamethasone
-cortisone
- dexamethasone
-hydrocortisone
-methylprednisolone
-prednisolone
-prednisone
-triamcinolone

Question 11

Fludrocortisone

Answer 11

-Florinef
- synthetic mineralocorticoid
- Addison’s disease

Question 12

Prednisone

Answer 12

-Deltasone, Sterapred, Liquid Pred
- synthetic intermediate-acting glucocorticoid
- endocrine disorders, rheumatic, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, ophthalmic, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, GI, and NS disorders

Question 13

Methylprednisolone

Answer 13

• Solu-Medrol
  -systemic corticosteroid
• endocrine disorders, rheumatic, collagen, dermatologic, allergic, ophthalmic, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, GI, and NS disorders

Question 14

Corticosteroid (administration)

Answer 14

• take in the morning (0600 - 0900) to minimize adrenal suppression
• do not adjust the dose or stop abruptly (can cause adrenal crisis- adrenal insufficiency)
• NO alcohol, caffeine, NSAIDs (ulcerogenic properties)
• monitor for fever, sore throat, muscle aches
• monitor the wound for healing (delays time
• avoid people with infections while taking
• rinse mouth after inhaled forms to reduce risk of fungal infections
• monitor BP, blood glucose, electrolyte levels, kidney function, GI symptoms