👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: corticosteroids · steroids · prednisone · methylprednisolone · dexamethasone · cortisone · sone drugs
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Corticosteroids on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
🧪 Meds
Prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone
↓ inflammation, suppress immune
🩺 Signs
↑ glucose, ↑ wt, moon face
↓ K+, ↑ Na+, fluid retention
Mood swings, ↑ infection risk
✅ Do
Take w/ food, give in AM
TAPER slowly off, monitor BG
🚩 Report
Abrupt stop → adrenal crisis
Masks infection signs, GI bleed
📚 Corticosteroids — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) suppress inflammation and the immune response and are used for autoimmune, inflammatory, allergic, and respiratory conditions. Chronic use causes Cushingoid effects and adrenal suppression, so the drug must never be stopped abruptly. Memory aid: steroids cause a 'moon face' and raise sugar, weight, and infection risk.
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Key points
Understand these first
They raise blood glucose (hyperglycemia), so diabetics need closer glucose monitoring.
They suppress the immune system, increasing infection risk and masking the signs of infection such as fever.
Long-term use causes Cushingoid features: moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, thin skin, easy bruising, and striae.
They cause sodium and water retention with potassium loss, leading to edema, hypertension, and hypokalemia.
Chronic use causes osteoporosis, muscle wasting, mood changes, cataracts, and GI ulcers.
Abrupt withdrawal after long-term use can trigger life-threatening adrenal crisis.
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and signs of infection.
Administer oral doses with food to reduce GI irritation and ulcer risk.
Taper the dose gradually rather than stopping abruptly.
Protect the patient from infection and exposure to ill people.
Monitor potassium and assess for edema and fluid retention.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Signs of infection (which may be subtle or fever may be masked) require prompt evaluation.
Abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use can cause adrenal crisis with hypotension, weakness, and shock.
Black, tarry stools or signs of GI bleeding.
Markedly elevated blood glucose or severe hyperglycemia.
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Labs & values
Numbers to know
Blood glucose (fasting 70-99 mg/dL) - watch for hyperglycemia
Potassium (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) - watch for hypokalemia
WBC (5,000-10,000/mm3)
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Never stop the medication suddenly; it must be tapered by your provider.
Avoid people who are sick and report fever or signs of infection.
Take the medication with food, and carry medical identification stating you take steroids.
❓ Corticosteroids: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Corticosteroids?
Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and signs of infection. Administer oral doses with food to reduce GI irritation and ulcer risk. Taper the dose gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Protect the patient from infection and exposure to ill people.
What are the warning signs of Corticosteroids a nurse must report?
Signs of infection (which may be subtle or fever may be masked) require prompt evaluation. Abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use can cause adrenal crisis with hypotension, weakness, and shock. Black, tarry stools or signs of GI bleeding. Markedly elevated blood glucose or severe hyperglycemia.
What do I need to know about Corticosteroids for the NCLEX?
They raise blood glucose (hyperglycemia), so diabetics need closer glucose monitoring. They suppress the immune system, increasing infection risk and masking the signs of infection such as fever. Long-term use causes Cushingoid features: moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, thin skin, easy bruising, and striae. They cause sodium and water retention with potassium loss, leading to edema, hypertension, and hypokalemia.
What patient teaching is important for Corticosteroids?
Never stop the medication suddenly; it must be tapered by your provider. Avoid people who are sick and report fever or signs of infection. Take the medication with food, and carry medical identification stating you take steroids.
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Quick Tip
They raise blood glucose (hyperglycemia), so diabetics need closer glucose monitoring.