One action of glucocorticoids is to suppress the immune system. Why would an animal benefit from glucocorticoids if it has a bacterial infection?

What will be an ideal response?


Some bacterial infections can lead to chronic inflammation that results in tissue damage. In these cases, glucocorticoids may be used to decrease tissue damage. Glucocorticoids suppress the immune system and can allow bacteria to replicate without check, but these patients should be receiving antibiotics for the bacterial component of the disease. Any patient with an infectious disease who is given glucocorticoids must be monitored closely for signs of antimicrobial treatment failure.

In bacterial skin infections, glucocorticoids reduce pruritus (itching). Excessive scratching will further irritate the wound and spread infection; therefore, glucocorticoids are given to decrease damage to the skin. If the skin is not damaged by scratching, it will have time to begin the healing process.

Anatomy & Physiology

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Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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The plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle cell is called the ________

A) sarcolemma B) sarcomere C) myofilament D) sarcoplasm E) sarcoplasmic reticulum

Anatomy & Physiology

The ________ lymphatics leave the lymph node at the hilum

A) ascending B) lateral C) afferent D) descending E) efferent

Anatomy & Physiology

After causing vibrations of the maleus, sound waves pass (in sequence) through the

A.  stapes, round window, scala externa perilymph, scala media endolymph, and oval window. B.  incus, stapes, oval window, scala vestibuli perilymph, and cochlear duct endolymph. C.  oval window, scala tympani perilymph, scala vestibuli endolymph, and spiral organ. D.  incus, stapes, oval window, scala tympani endolymph, scala vestibuli, and helicotrema. E.  stapes, incus, round window, scala media perilymph, and  scala vestibuli endolymph.

Anatomy & Physiology