Which statement best describes how physiologic doses of glucocorticoids are used?
Physiologic doses of glucocorticoids balance the feedback loop in clients with adrenal insufficiency
Physiologic doses of glucocorticoids have the greatest impact on fluid and electrolyte balance
Physiologic doses of glucocorticoids treat inflammatory disease in the body like rheumatoid arthritis
Physiologic doses of glucocorticoids lower blood glucose in place of insulin
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Physiologic doses of glucocorticoids, like hydrocortisone, mimic normal cortisol production (20-30 mg/day) in adrenal insufficiency, restoring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis feedback. This maintains metabolism, stress response, and immune function without excess. This statement is accurate, as these doses replace deficient cortisol to stabilize endocrine function.
Choice B reason: Physiologic doses have minimal impact on fluid and electrolyte balance compared to pharmacologic doses, which cause sodium retention via mineralocorticoid effects. In adrenal insufficiency, physiologic doses normalize cortisol without significant fluid shifts. This statement is inaccurate, as electrolyte effects are secondary and less pronounced.
Choice C reason: Physiologic doses replace cortisol in adrenal insufficiency, not treat inflammation. Pharmacologic (higher) doses suppress inflammation in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting cytokine production. This statement is inaccurate, as physiologic doses are insufficient for anti-inflammatory effects required in such conditions.
Choice D reason: Glucocorticoids increase, not lower, blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. Physiologic doses maintain normal glucose metabolism in adrenal insufficiency but do not replace insulin’s role. This statement is inaccurate, as glucocorticoids oppose insulin’s glucose-lowering effects, even at physiologic levels.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Physiologic doses of glucocorticoids, like hydrocortisone, mimic normal cortisol production (20-30 mg/day) in adrenal insufficiency, restoring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis feedback. This maintains metabolism, stress response, and immune function without excess. This statement is accurate, as these doses replace deficient cortisol to stabilize endocrine function.
Choice B reason: Physiologic doses have minimal impact on fluid and electrolyte balance compared to pharmacologic doses, which cause sodium retention via mineralocorticoid effects. In adrenal insufficiency, physiologic doses normalize cortisol without significant fluid shifts. This statement is inaccurate, as electrolyte effects are secondary and less pronounced.
Choice C reason: Physiologic doses replace cortisol in adrenal insufficiency, not treat inflammation. Pharmacologic (higher) doses suppress inflammation in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting cytokine production. This statement is inaccurate, as physiologic doses are insufficient for anti-inflammatory effects required in such conditions.
Choice D reason: Glucocorticoids increase, not lower, blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. Physiologic doses maintain normal glucose metabolism in adrenal insufficiency but do not replace insulin’s role. This statement is inaccurate, as glucocorticoids oppose insulin’s glucose-lowering effects, even at physiologic levels.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Excessive bile acid absorption, often due to ileal dysfunction, reduces bile acid availability in the gallbladder, promoting cholesterol supersaturation and gallstone formation. This contributes to cholelithiasis, particularly cholesterol gallstones, by altering bile composition, making this condition a significant risk factor, not the least likely.
Choice B reason: Elevated serum calcium (hypercalcemia) is not directly linked to cholelithiasis. While hypercalcemia can cause kidney stones, gallstone formation is driven by bile composition changes, like cholesterol or bile acid imbalances, not serum calcium levels. This makes it the least likely contributor to gallstone development.
Choice C reason: Elevated dietary cholesterol increases hepatic cholesterol secretion into bile, leading to supersaturation and cholesterol gallstone formation. This is a well-established risk factor for cholelithiasis, as excess cholesterol overwhelms bile acid and phospholipid solubilization, promoting crystal formation, making it a significant contributor, not the least likely.
Choice D reason: Inflammation of epithelial tissue, such as in chronic cholecystitis, promotes gallstone formation by altering gallbladder motility and bile stasis. Inflammatory changes disrupt bile acid metabolism and increase mucin production, facilitating stone nucleation. This condition is a known risk factor for cholelithiasis, not the least likely contributor.
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