A patient who is a long-distance runner has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in both knees and will begin glucocorticoid therapy. When teaching the patient about the medication, the nurse will include what information?

Question

a. "By reducing inflammation, this drug will slow the progression of your disease."
b. "Glucocorticoids are used as adjunctive therapy during acute flare-ups."
c. "Oral glucocorticoids cause less toxicity than intra-articular injections."
d. "You may resume running when the pain and swelling improve."

Answer 1

B
Glucocorticoids are used as adjunctive therapy to treat acute exacerbations of rheumatoid arthri-tis. Glucocorticoids reduce pain and inflammation but do not alter the course of the disease. Oral glucocorticoids produce side effects similar to those of all glucocorticoids, but they are absorbed more rapidly and completely than intra-articular injections. Patients should be warned against overactivity even though their pain has been reduced, because they can further injure their joints.