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Long-term corticosteroid monitoring — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardEndocrine TherapeuticsLong-term corticosteroid monitoringGPhC CRA

A patient has taken prednisolone 10 mg daily for several months. Which monitoring bundle best addresses the cumulative harms of treatment?

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Correct answer: C — Blood pressure, weight, glucose, bone, eye and infection risk review

Months of systemic prednisolone can cause hypertension, weight gain, dysglycaemia, osteoporosis, ocular complications, adrenal suppression and infection. Monitoring must therefore be longitudinal and risk-based: blood pressure and weight, glucose or HbA1c, bone health and fracture risk, eye symptoms or examination where indicated, and infection or vaccination review. An unchanged dose does not remove these cumulative harms.

Reference: NHS SPS corticosteroid monitoring: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/corticosteroids-monitoring/