💉FLASHCARDS
NURS 615 – CORTICOSTEROIDS
🧠 CORE ACTIONS (FROM FIGURE 26-1)
Card 1
Front: What is the primary action of corticosteroids?
Back: Anti-inflammatory + immunosuppressive
Card 2
Front: How do corticosteroids reduce inflammation?
Back: Inhibit phospholipase A2 → ↓ prostaglandins & leukotrienes
Card 3
Front: Effect of corticosteroids on immune system?
Back: Suppress immune response → ↓ lymphocytes, ↓ cytokines
Card 4
Front: Effect on metabolism?
Back: ↑ glucose (hyperglycemia), protein breakdown, fat redistribution
Card 5
Front: Effect on fluid/electrolytes?
Back: Sodium & water retention → edema, ↑ BP
⚠️ PRINCIPLES OF THERAPY
, Card 6
Front: Key principle when prescribing corticosteroids?
Back: Use lowest effective dose for shortest duration
Card 7
Front: Preferred route when possible?
Back: Local (topical/inhaled) over systemic
Card 8
Front: When are corticosteroids used short-term?
Back: Acute inflammation (asthma, gout, allergic reactions)
Card 9
Front: Risk of long-term corticosteroid therapy?
Back: Systemic adverse effects + HPA axis suppression
🚨 TAPERING (VERY TESTED)
Card 10
Front: Why must corticosteroids be tapered?
Back: Prevent adrenal insufficiency
Card 11
Front: What happens if steroids are stopped abruptly?
Back: Adrenal crisis (fatigue, hypotension, shock)
Card 12
Front: What system is suppressed with long-term steroid use?
Back: HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)
NURS 615 – CORTICOSTEROIDS
🧠 CORE ACTIONS (FROM FIGURE 26-1)
Card 1
Front: What is the primary action of corticosteroids?
Back: Anti-inflammatory + immunosuppressive
Card 2
Front: How do corticosteroids reduce inflammation?
Back: Inhibit phospholipase A2 → ↓ prostaglandins & leukotrienes
Card 3
Front: Effect of corticosteroids on immune system?
Back: Suppress immune response → ↓ lymphocytes, ↓ cytokines
Card 4
Front: Effect on metabolism?
Back: ↑ glucose (hyperglycemia), protein breakdown, fat redistribution
Card 5
Front: Effect on fluid/electrolytes?
Back: Sodium & water retention → edema, ↑ BP
⚠️ PRINCIPLES OF THERAPY
, Card 6
Front: Key principle when prescribing corticosteroids?
Back: Use lowest effective dose for shortest duration
Card 7
Front: Preferred route when possible?
Back: Local (topical/inhaled) over systemic
Card 8
Front: When are corticosteroids used short-term?
Back: Acute inflammation (asthma, gout, allergic reactions)
Card 9
Front: Risk of long-term corticosteroid therapy?
Back: Systemic adverse effects + HPA axis suppression
🚨 TAPERING (VERY TESTED)
Card 10
Front: Why must corticosteroids be tapered?
Back: Prevent adrenal insufficiency
Card 11
Front: What happens if steroids are stopped abruptly?
Back: Adrenal crisis (fatigue, hypotension, shock)
Card 12
Front: What system is suppressed with long-term steroid use?
Back: HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)
