A client diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) comes to the emergency department with severe back pain. She reports that she first felt pain after manually opening her garage door and that she is taking prednisone daily. When adverse effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy is most likely responsible for the pain?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osteoporosis is the most likely adverse effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy responsible for the severe back pain experienced by the client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Corticosteroids such as prednisone can lead to bone resorption and calcium loss, resulting in weakened bones and increased risk of fractures. Back pain in this case could be a sign of vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis induced by prolonged corticosteroid use. It is important for healthcare providers to monitor bone health in patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy and consider strategies to prevent or manage osteoporosis.