What symptom should a client receiving glucocorticoids report immediately to the nurse?

The correct answer is that the client receiving glucocorticoids should report fever immediately to the nurse. Glucocorticoids, which are a class of steroid hormones, have immunosuppressive properties. They can hinder the body's natural immune response, making the client more susceptible to infections. A fever can be a critical sign of infection or an adverse reaction to the medication, both of which necessitate prompt evaluation and intervention by medical staff.

In contrast, while symptoms such as weight gain, abdominal distention, and increased appetite can occur as side effects of glucocorticoid therapy, they do not represent immediate threats to the client’s health. Weight gain and abdominal distention may indicate fluid retention or metabolic changes associated with steroids, while increased appetite may simply be a metabolic effect of the drug. However, these symptoms, while needing monitoring, do not require the same immediate attention as a fever, which could indicate a serious infection or complication.