👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: steroid · cortisone · glucocorticoid
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Prednisone (corticosteroid) on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
✅ Action
Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant
Taper to avoid adrenal crisis
📌 Effects
↑glucose, ↑weight, moon face
↓immunity → mask infection
Osteoporosis, ↑BP, ↓K+
🎓 Teach
Take with food in morning
Report infection signs, fever
🚩 Report
Adrenal crisis: ↓BP, weak, ↓Na
GI bleed: black/tarry stool
📚 Prednisone (corticosteroid) — 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.
Prednisone is an oral glucocorticoid that suppresses inflammation and the immune response. It treats autoimmune disorders, asthma, COPD exacerbations, allergic reactions, and many inflammatory conditions. Memory aid: think Cushingoid effects. Key principle: never stop abruptly because of adrenal suppression, and it masks infection.
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Key points
Understand these first
Long-term use causes Cushingoid effects: moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, and thin skin.
It raises blood glucose, raises blood pressure, and causes sodium and fluid retention with potassium loss.
It suppresses the immune system and masks signs of infection such as fever.
It must be tapered, never stopped abruptly, to avoid adrenal crisis.
Long-term use causes osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, peptic ulcers, and delayed wound healing.
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and signs of infection.
Administer with food to reduce GI irritation and ulcer risk.
Assess for subtle infection because steroids mask fever and inflammation.
Teach a slow taper and never abrupt discontinuation.
Monitor potassium and assess for fluid retention and edema.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Never stop abruptly (adrenal crisis: hypotension, weakness, shock).
Report signs of infection, black tarry stools, or severe abdominal pain.
Report hyperglycemia and unexpected weight gain or swelling.
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Labs & values
Numbers to know
Glucose 70-99 mg/dL fasting (steroids raise it)
Potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (steroids lower it)
Sodium 135-145 mEq/L (retained)
WBC 5,000-10,000/mm3
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Take with food and do not stop suddenly; taper as directed.
Avoid crowds and people who are sick; report any signs of infection.
Carry medical identification and report mood changes, swelling, or vision changes.
❓ Prednisone (corticosteroid): NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Prednisone (corticosteroid)?
Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and signs of infection. Administer with food to reduce GI irritation and ulcer risk. Assess for subtle infection because steroids mask fever and inflammation. Teach a slow taper and never abrupt discontinuation.
What are the warning signs of Prednisone (corticosteroid) a nurse must report?
Never stop abruptly (adrenal crisis: hypotension, weakness, shock). Report signs of infection, black tarry stools, or severe abdominal pain. Report hyperglycemia and unexpected weight gain or swelling.
What do I need to know about Prednisone (corticosteroid) for the NCLEX?
Long-term use causes Cushingoid effects: moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, and thin skin. It raises blood glucose, raises blood pressure, and causes sodium and fluid retention with potassium loss. It suppresses the immune system and masks signs of infection such as fever. It must be tapered, never stopped abruptly, to avoid adrenal crisis.
What patient teaching is important for Prednisone (corticosteroid)?
Take with food and do not stop suddenly; taper as directed. Avoid crowds and people who are sick; report any signs of infection. Carry medical identification and report mood changes, swelling, or vision changes.
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Quick Tip
Long-term use causes Cushingoid effects: moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, and thin skin.