A patient has been receiving a large dose of prednisone for the relief of arthritic pain for 6 months.He suddenly stops taking his medication.What is the most serious concern?
A)His arthritic pain will recur.
B)He will develop an acute adrenal insufficiency.
C)He will continue to exhibit symptoms of Cushing syndrome.
D)He will develop a moon face and buffalo hump.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Long-term use of prednisone can lead to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Sudden cessation of medication can result in acute adrenal insufficiency due to the body's inability to produce sufficient cortisol on its own. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. While the other concerns may also be present with long-term use of prednisone, they are not as immediately serious as acute adrenal insufficiency.

A Patient Has Been Receiving a Large Dose of Prednisone