Your patient is on long-term prednisone therapy. This patient should have frequent follow-up office visits to assess for which of the following?

A. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT): GALT is a component of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and refers to the immune cells found in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells play a significant role in local immune responses in the gut.

B. Bone marrow: The bone marrow is the primary site of blood cell production in the body. It contains stem cells that can differentiate into various blood cells, including B cells. B cells mature in the bone marrow.

C. Thymus: The thymus is an organ located near the heart and is crucial for the development of T cells. T cells mature in the thymus, where they learn to recognize self from non-self antigens.

D. Lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that produce and store cells that help fight infection. While they are essential parts of the immune system, B and T cells are not originally derived from lymph nodes.

A. Dermatitis and headaches: Prednisone use can sometimes cause skin issues, but dermatitis is not a common side effect. Headaches can also occur, but they are not specific to long-term prednisone therapy.

B. Heart failure and headaches: Prednisone does not directly cause heart failure. Headaches can occur but are not specific indicators of prednisone side effects.

C. Hyperglycemia and osteoporosis: Prednisone can lead to elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and increased bone loss (osteoporosis) when used long-term. Regular monitoring is essential to manage these potential side effects.

D. Weight loss and hypoglycemia: Prednisone can cause weight gain rather than weight loss. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is not a common side effect of prednisone; it typically causes hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) instead.