A patient taking high doses of a glucocorticoid develops weakness in the muscles of the upper arms and in the legs. What will the nurse do?
a. Contact the provider to ask about reducing the dose.
b. Encourage the patient to restrict sodium intake.
c. Reassure the patient that this is an expected side effect.
d. Tell the patient to stop taking the drug.
ANS: A
High-dose glucocorticoid therapy can cause myopathy, manifesting as weakness. If muscle weakness occurs, the dose should be reduced. Reducing the sodium intake is recommended to minimize sodium and water retention. Muscle weakness is not an expected side effect, because it indicates myopathy. It is incorrect to tell the patient to stop taking the drug, because a glucocorticoid must be withdrawn slowly to allow time for recovery of adrenal function.
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