A 38-year-old male has presented to a clinic for the treatment of severe dermatitis after contact with poison ivy on a camping trip. The client has been prescribed prednisone, a corticosteroid, for the treatment of his skin condition. The client's care provider has emphasized that dosages of the drug will be gradually tapered off rather than stopped upon resolution of the symptoms. What is the most accurate rationale for this dosing protocol?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The suppression of the HPA system that accompanies steroid therapy requires time for a return to normal function. Dependency on the drug itself is not the rationale for tapering, and HPA function is suppressed, not heightened during therapy. Abrupt cessation can contribute to an Addison disease-like response, not Cushing syndrome.

A 38-Year-Old Male Has Presented to a Clinic for the Treatment