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Nursing QUESTION #9302
Question 1
In medical-surgical nursing, a patient on long-term corticosteroid therapy should be monitored for which of the following complications?
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Hyponatremia
  • Cushing's syndrome features including hyperglycemia, moon face, and osteoporosis✔️
  • Bradycardia
Correct Answer Explanation

Long-term corticosteroid therapy mimics endogenous excess cortisol, producing iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome:

SystemEffect of Excess Corticosteroids
MetabolicHyperglycemia (steroid-induced diabetes)
AppearanceMoon face, buffalo hump, central obesity, striae
SkeletalOsteoporosis, vertebral fractures
ImmuneImmunosuppression — increased infection risk (mask fever!)
CardiovascularHypertension, fluid retention, edema
ElectrolytesHypokalemia, hypernatremia
GIPeptic ulcer formation

Critical nursing point: Patients on long-term steroids should never abruptly stop — risk of adrenal crisis (Addisonian crisis). Taper dosage gradually.