A female client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) asks the nurse about pregnancy and lupus. Which information should the nurse include when educating the client?

A. The immediate concern with abrupt cessation is more related to adrenal insufficiency rather than hyperglycemia. However, chronic use of prednisone can contribute to glucose intolerance and diabetes, but this is not the primary issue with sudden discontinuation.
B. Abrupt discontinuation of prednisone can lead to adrenal insufficiency because the body has become reliant on the medication to suppress inflammation and regulate various bodily functions. The adrenal glands may not immediately resume normal cortisol production, which can lead to symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, including hypotension.

C. Fluid retention is a common side effect of prednisone use. However, stopping prednisone suddenly does not typically cause fluid retention; rather, it can lead to other issues like adrenal insufficiency. Fluid retention is more related to the medication's use rather than its abrupt discontinuation.
D. Abruptly stopping high-dose prednisone, especially after long-term use, can be dangerous. The body may not immediately resume normal cortisol production, leading to symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, such as fatigue, weakness, and hypotension. It is crucial to taper off prednisone gradually under medical supervision to allow the adrenal glands time to recover and to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

A. Parkinson's disease is not generally considered to be caused by an autoimmune reaction or a recent infection. Autoimmune reactions leading to neurodegeneration are more commonly associated with other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, not Parkinson's disease.
B. The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is indeed unknown, but research suggests that it results from a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Genetic mutations may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease in some individuals, while environmental factors such as exposure to certain toxins or other external influences might also play a role. The interplay between these factors is still being studied.
C. There is no evidence to support the idea that Parkinson's disease is caused by the reactivation of a virus affecting cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve). Parkinson's disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, not specifically related to viral reactivation or isolated to cranial nerve VII.
D. Demyelination of nerves is characteristic of multiple sclerosis, not Parkinson's disease. In Parkinson's disease, the primary issue is the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, not demyelination. This option describes a different pathological process unrelated to Parkinson's disease.