Question

A 68-year-old man with GOLD stage III COPD presents with increased breathlessness, purulent sputum and wheeze for 3 days. He is managed as an outpatient. Which systemic corticosteroid regimen is most consistent with Australian COPD-X recommendations for an acute exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Prednisolone 40 mg daily for 5 days then stop

Answer

Prednisolone 5 mg daily for 1 month

Answer

Prednisolone 10 mg daily for 3 months then taper

Answer

Hydrocortisone 100 mg IV 6-hourly for 14 days

Answer

Dexamethasone 4 mg daily for 4 weeks

Practice question

A 68-year-old man with GOLD stage III COPD presents with increased breathlessness, purulent sputum and wheeze for 3 days. He is managed as an outpatient. Which systemic corticosteroid regimen is most consistent with Australian COPD-X recommendations for an acute exacerbation?