Corticosteroid

Anti-inflammatory and immuno suppressive.

Route: Oral, parental, dose as prescribed.

Side-effects:

sodium and fluid retention, potassium and calcium wasting, chest infection, systemic arterial hypertension, peptic ulcer, hepatitis, impaired glucose tolerance, cushing's syndrome, osteoporosis neutorpenia, lymphocytopenia, delayed wound healing, opportunistic infection, headache, insomnia, muscle wasting. depression, psychosis, thin fragile skin, stomatitis, hirsutism.

Nursing implications:

Low sodium, high potassium diet, supplement calcium and phosphorus, anti-hypertensive, ambulation, deep breathing exercises, oral dose administered with meals, antacids, teach infection control measures, anti-fungal agents, instruct not to discontinue the medicine abruptly, renal and liver function tests.