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Corticosteroid safety counselling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateEndocrine TherapeuticsCorticosteroid safety counsellingGPhC CRA

A 59-year-old woman collects prednisolone 40mg daily for 7 days after an asthma exacerbation. She also takes inhaled beclometasone and has had three similar steroid courses in the past 4 months. She asks about steroid safety information. What would you advise the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — ensure she has a steroid treatment card and knows to mention recent steroid use to clinicians

Repeated systemic corticosteroid courses increase the relevance of steroid safety counselling. Patients should be advised to carry appropriate steroid information and tell healthcare professionals about recent steroid exposure. Prednisolone is usually taken in the morning to reduce sleep disturbance and mimic natural cortisol rhythm. The inhaled corticosteroid should not be stopped without asthma review.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS: Corticosteroids