Corticosteroids side effects

Question 1

Seven S’s

Answer 1

side effects of steroids
- Swollen
- Sepsis
- Sugar
- Skinny
- Sight
- Slowly
- Stress

Question 2

7 S’s: swollen

Answer 2

• water gain, weight gain, moon face, buffalo hump
• check daily weights, monitor for striae development

Question 3

7 S’s: sepsis

Answer 3

• due to immune suppression
• be aware of fever, signs/symptoms of infection

Question 4

7 S’s: sugar

Answer 4

• hyperglycemia
• monitor glucose (may even need insulin)

Question 5

7 S’s: Skinny

Answer 5

• muscle & bones => osteoporosis
• arms and legs will be thing and bones become porous on long-term steroids

Question 6

7 S’s: sight

Answer 6

• causes cataracts
• monitor vision changes

Question 7

7 S’s: slowly

Answer 7

• taper off
• never abruptly stop, unless short term use

Question 8

7 S’s: stress

Answer 8

• increase dose during times of stress
• be aware that if patient is steroid dependent (taking all the time) they may need more during times of stress
  EX. surgery or ICU