What crucial information must be obtained before treating a patient on steroidal medication?

• A. Pharmacy that filled the RX
• B. Duration of prescription
• C. Both dose and duration
• D. None of the above

Answer: (C)

The key information that must be gathered before treating a patient on steroidal medication is both the dose and the duration of the steroid treatment. This is critical for several reasons.

First, understanding the dose of the steroid helps assess the potential effects and risks associated with its use—higher doses can lead to more significant side effects and complications.

Second, the duration of treatment informs the clinician about potential dependence and withdrawal symptoms, as well as the risks of long-term effects such as adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, or other systemic effects.

Having both pieces of information allows for a more informed assessment of the patient's current health status and guides the decision-making process for both short- and long-term treatment strategies. It also helps in planning any necessary tapering of steroids if the patient requires transitioning to other therapies.

In contrast, knowing just the pharmacy that filled the prescription or the duration alone would not provide a complete understanding of the patient's steroid use and its implications for current and future treatment.