Nokea
A patient has been on daily, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. His prescription runs out before his next appointment with his physician. Because he is asymptomatic, he thinks it is all right to withhold the medication for 3 days. What is likely to happen to this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: He will go into adrenal crisis.
Rationale:
1. Glucocorticoids suppress the body's natural production of cortisol.
2. Abruptly stopping high-dose glucocorticoid therapy can lead to adrenal insufficiency.
3. Adrenal crisis can result in symptoms like weakness, fatigue, hypotension, and potentially life-threatening consequences.
4. This patient, being on high-dose glucocorticoid therapy, is at risk for adrenal crisis if he abruptly stops the medication.
Summary:
B: Thyroid storm is not related to abruptly stopping glucocorticoid therapy.
C: Autoimmune disease remission is unlikely to occur within 3 days of stopping medication.
D: It is not appropriate to stop high-dose glucocorticoid therapy abruptly, as it can lead to adverse effects like adrenal crisis.