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Free Online Flashcard Deck

4 Corticosteroids Free Online FlashCards

Study 4 Corticosteroids with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.

12 cards
01
Front

Which two major classes of corticosteroids include prednisone and fludrocortisone?

Back

Glucocorticoids include hydrocortisone and prednisone; mineralocorticoids include aldosterone and fludrocortisone.

02
Front

What are the main effects of glucocorticoids?

Back

They reduce inflammation and immune activity.

03
Front

How do mineralocorticoids affect sodium, water, and potassium?

Back

They promote sodium and water retention and increase potassium excretion.

04
Front

What makes hydrocortisone notable among corticosteroids?

Back

Hydrocortisone has both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects.

05
Front

What is a common therapeutic use of systemic glucocorticoids?

Back

They are used to treat inflammatory or autoimmune diseases through their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

06
Front

When may glucocorticoids be used as hormone replacement?

Back

They can replace cortisol when the body does not produce enough.

07
Front

Which metabolic, immune, and bone risks can prolonged glucocorticoid use cause?

Back

Prolonged use can cause hyperglycemia, increased infection risk, and osteoporosis.

08
Front

What can prolonged glucocorticoid exposure do to the HPA axis?

Back

Prolonged exposure can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the body's own cortisol production.

09
Front

Why can abruptly stopping long-term glucocorticoids be dangerous?

Back

The adrenal glands may not produce enough cortisol immediately, raising the risk of adrenal insufficiency or, in severe cases, adrenal crisis.

10
Front

How should long-term glucocorticoid treatment generally be stopped?

Back

Taper under the prescribing clinician's direction when long-term therapy is no longer needed; the taper is generally slower near a physiologic dose.

11
Front

Do short glucocorticoid courses generally need tapering to prevent HPA-axis suppression?

Back

Short courses of less than 3–4 weeks generally do not require tapering to prevent HPA-axis suppression; treatment plans should still be individualized.

12
Front

What medication replaces mineralocorticoid activity in primary adrenal insufficiency with aldosterone deficiency?

Back

Fludrocortisone provides mineralocorticoid replacement when aldosterone is deficient in primary adrenal insufficiency.