- Body system
- Endocrine
- Brand names
- Rayos
What is Prednisone used for?
- Inflammatory and autoimmune disease (asthma and COPD flares, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease)
- Allergic reactions
- Some cancers and transplant immunosuppression
How Prednisone works
Glucocorticoid: suppresses inflammation and the immune response.
Common side effects
- Hyperglycemia
- Fluid retention, hypertension and hypokalemia
- Insomnia, mood swings, increased appetite
- Higher infection risk
- Long-term: osteoporosis, muscle wasting, cataracts, Cushing features, adrenal suppression
Report right away
- Fever or other signs of infection (they may be masked)
- Black stools or abdominal pain
- Rapid weight gain or swelling
- Very high blood sugar
Nursing considerations for Prednisone
- Monitor blood glucose, potassium, blood pressure, weight and signs of infection.
- After more than a short course, never stop it suddenly: the dose is tapered to prevent adrenal insufficiency (weakness, hypotension, nausea, hypoglycemia).
- Patients on long-term therapy may need extra (stress) doses for surgery or severe illness, as prescribed.
Patient teaching
- Take with food, in the morning when taken once daily.
- Avoid people with infections; ask before any live vaccine.
- Carry a card or bracelet if you take it long term.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Prednisone belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A patient has taken prednisone for 3 months. Why must it be tapered rather than stopped?
Show answer
Answer D: To prevent acute adrenal insufficiency Long-term steroids suppress the adrenal glands. Stopping suddenly can cause adrenal crisis: hypotension, weakness, hypoglycemia and shock.
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Which lab value is most likely to rise in a patient on high-dose corticosteroids?
Show answer
Answer A: Blood glucose Glucocorticoids increase glucose production and insulin resistance. Potassium tends to fall.
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Why may a patient on long-term corticosteroids have an infection without a high fever?
Show answer
Answer B: Steroids suppress inflammation and mask signs of infection Steroids blunt the inflammatory response, so fever, redness and swelling may be minimal even in serious infection.
Frequently asked questions
What is Prednisone used for?
Inflammatory and autoimmune disease (asthma and COPD flares, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease); Allergic reactions; Some cancers and transplant immunosuppression.
What drug class is Prednisone?
Prednisone belongs to the class corticosteroids (glucocorticoids). Glucocorticoid: suppresses inflammation and the immune response.
What are the nursing considerations for Prednisone?
Monitor blood glucose, potassium, blood pressure, weight and signs of infection. After more than a short course, never stop it suddenly: the dose is tapered to prevent adrenal insufficiency (weakness, hypotension, nausea, hypoglycemia).
What should patients report while taking Prednisone?
fever or other signs of infection (they may be masked); black stools or abdominal pain; rapid weight gain or swelling; very high blood sugar.