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Nursing considerations for NSAIDs
Nursing considerations for NSAIDs ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus and is prescribed prednisone, a glucocorticoid. What is the primary mechanism of action of prednisone in this condition?
Glucocorticoids like prednisone have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. They work by suppressing the production of various pro-inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and prostaglandins. Additionally, glucocorticoids can inhibit the activation and proliferation of immune cells, including T cells and B cells, which play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE.
This mechanism of action describes the action of calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine, not prednisone. Prednisone does not directly inhibit calcineurin or interfere with the transcription of interleukin-2.
This statement is not accurate. Prednisone primarily acts by modulating immune cell function and reducing inflammation rather than interfering with nucleic acid synthesis.
This statement does not accurately describe the mechanism of action of prednisone. Prednisone acts through intracellular receptors rather than binding to antigens or surface receptors on immune cells.
Prednisone, a glucocorticoid, exerts its primary mechanism of action in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by inhibiting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and suppressing the activation and proliferation of immune cells.
The other options are incorrect because:
A. It inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and suppresses the activation and proliferation of immune cells: Glucocorticoids like prednisone have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. They work by suppressing the production of various pro-inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and prostaglandins. Additionally, glucocorticoids can inhibit the activation and proliferation of immune cells, including T cells and B cells, which play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE.
B. It blocks the activation of T cells by inhibiting the enzyme calcineurin, which is required for the transcription of interleukin-2: This mechanism of action describes the action of calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine, not prednisone. Prednisone does not directly inhibit calcineurin or interfere with the transcription of interleukin-2.
C. It interferes with the synthesis of nucleic acids, which are essential for the replication and function of immune cells: This statement is not accurate. Prednisone primarily acts by modulating immune cell function and reducing inflammation rather than interfering with nucleic acid synthesis.
D. It binds to specific antigens or receptors on the surface of immune cells and either neutralizes them or induces their destruction: This statement does not accurately describe the mechanism of action of prednisone. Prednisone acts through intracellular receptors rather than binding to antigens or surface receptors on immune cells.