Question

Discuss the clinical uses and potential adverse effect of corticosteroids.as a nurse how will you provide care for a patient on steroid therapy.

Answer 1

Clinical uses of corticosteroids include administration of them in pregnant women expecting preterm delivery i.e. antenatal administration. This is reported to lead to the decreased mortality and a decreased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Inhaled corticosteroids act as the anti-inflammatory therapy of choice in adult asthma.

The potential adverse effect of corticosteroids include adrenal suppression, bone loss, skin thinning, increased cataract formation, decreased linear growth in children, metabolic changes, and behavioral abnormalities.

As a nurse, I will provide care for a patient on steroid by monitoring the dosage and adverse effects regularly and recording the vitals of the patient. In case of severe adverse effects stopping the administration.