In caring for a client on corticosteroid therapy who says they have difficulty controlling temper, what would be an appropriate nurse response?

In caring for a client on corticosteroid therapy who says they have difficulty controlling temper, what would be an appropriate nurse response?

• A. Inquire about mood swings
• B. Discuss potential dietary changes
• C. Encourage relaxation techniques only
• D. Insist they stop taking steroids

Answer: (A)

When a client on corticosteroids reports difficulty controlling temper, the key is to assess and acknowledge potential mood-related side effects. Corticosteroids can cause emotional changes, irritability, and mood swings, so inviting the client to share details about their mood helps you gauge severity, triggers, and safety. Asking about mood swings opens the door to understand how the medication might be affecting behavior and function, and it informs the plan with the prescriber—whether that means adjusting the dose, timing, or adding coping strategies. It shows you’re responding to a real adverse effect rather than redirecting to unrelated topics. Other approaches don’t address the immediate concern. Discussing dietary changes or offering relaxation techniques alone may be supportive but don’t elicit essential information about the mood change or address the safety and treatment implications. Insisting they stop steroids is inappropriate without medical guidance, as dose changes must be managed by the prescriber to avoid withdrawal or worsening illness.

When a client on corticosteroids reports difficulty controlling temper, the key is to assess and acknowledge potential mood-related side effects. Corticosteroids can cause emotional changes, irritability, and mood swings, so inviting the client to share details about their mood helps you gauge severity, triggers, and safety.

Asking about mood swings opens the door to understand how the medication might be affecting behavior and function, and it informs the plan with the prescriber—whether that means adjusting the dose, timing, or adding coping strategies. It shows you’re responding to a real adverse effect rather than redirecting to unrelated topics.

Other approaches don’t address the immediate concern. Discussing dietary changes or offering relaxation techniques alone may be supportive but don’t elicit essential information about the mood change or address the safety and treatment implications. Insisting they stop steroids is inappropriate without medical guidance, as dose changes must be managed by the prescriber to avoid withdrawal or worsening illness.