A patient is receiving steroid therapy because of an exacerbation of COPD.The dose is being tapered downward.The nurse recognizes that this approach is medically appropriate because it applies what principle of "up-regulation"?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Up-regulation involves the increase in the number of hormone receptors on the cell surface in response to a decrease in hormone levels. When steroid therapy is tapered down, the body's natural production of cortisol (a steroid hormone) needs to increase. This process requires time for the body to adjust and increase the number of hormone receptors, hence the need for a gradual reduction in steroid therapy to allow for this physiological adaptation.

A Patient Is Receiving Steroid Therapy Because of an Exacerbation