A patient with severe asthma has taken high-dose glucocorticoids for 2 months. The symptoms have resolved, and the patient is ready to stop the medication. What patient education would the nurse provide about discontinuing the medication?
a. The dose should be tapered off over 7 to 10 days.
b. The drug can be stopped immediately if it is no longer needed.
c. The drug must be continued for life.
d. An inhaled form of glucocorticoid must be added to the medication regimen.
ANS: A
To minimize the impact of adrenal insufficiency, glucocorticoid withdrawal should be gradual.
Abrupt termination of long-term therapy of high-dose glucocorticoids may result in adrenal crisis.
The drug should not be continued for life unless it is taken because of adrenal gland removal.
An inhaled form could be used but is not required.
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