Fundamentals of Nursing Q 333
A client with emphysema is prescribed corticosteroid therapy on a short-term basis for acute bronchitis. The client asks the nurse how the steroids will help him. The nurse responded by saying that the corticosteroids will do which of the following?
A. Promote bronchodilation
B. Help the client to cough
C. Prevent respiratory infection
D. Decrease inflammation in the airways
Correct Answer: D. Decrease inflammation in the airways
Glucocorticoids are prescribed because of their anti-inflammatory effect. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not achieved with glucocorticoids. Corticosteroids produce their effect through multiple pathways. In general, they produce anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, protein and carbohydrate metabolic effects, water and electrolyte effects, central nervous system effects, and blood cell effects.
Option A: The glucocorticoid receptor is located intracellularly within the cytoplasm and upon binding trans-locates rapidly into the nucleus where it affects gene transcription and causes inhibition of gene expression and translation for inflammatory leukocytes and structural cells such as epithelium. This action leads to a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules, as well as other enzymes involved in the inflammatory response.
Option B: The non-genomic mechanism occurs more rapidly and is mediated through interactions between the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor or a membrane-bound glucocorticoid receptor. Within seconds to minutes of receptor activation, a cascade of effects is set off, including inhibition of phospholipase A2, which is critical for the production of inflammatory cytokines, impaired release of arachidonic acid, and regulation of apoptosis in thymocytes.
Option C: Their nonendocrine role regularly takes advantage of their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects to treat patients with a wide range of immunologic and inflammatory disorders. Corticosteroids are used at physiologic doses as replacement therapy in cases of adrenal insufficiency and supraphysiologic doses in treatments for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.