A 30-year-old has poorly controlled asthma and is taking prednisone 10 mg by mouth once a day. He has been on this regimen for 6 weeks. Abrupt withdrawal or discontinuation of this medication can cause:
A) adrenal crisis.
B) hypercortisolism.
C) ACTH stimulation.
D) thyroid crisis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Abrupt withdrawal of prednisone, a corticosteroid, after prolonged use can lead to adrenal crisis due to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in insufficient cortisol production.

A 30-Year-Old Has Poorly Controlled Asthma and Is Taking Prednisone