Which nursing intervention is most important for a client receiving hydrocortisone 40 mg daily for severe autoimmune inflammation?

Assessing daily blood glucose levels is crucial for a client receiving hydrocortisone, particularly at a dose of 40 mg daily for severe autoimmune inflammation. Hydrocortisone, a glucocorticoid steroid, can significantly influence glucose metabolism, leading to increased blood sugar levels. This effect is due to the drug promoting gluconeogenesis, decreasing glucose uptake by cells, and potentially causing insulin resistance.

For patients on corticosteroid therapy, monitoring blood glucose levels helps in early detection of hyperglycemia, which is common with such treatment and can lead to complications like steroid-induced diabetes. By regularly assessing blood glucose, healthcare providers can take immediate action if levels become too elevated, adjusting the treatment plan, including dietary modifications or medications, to maintain safe glucose levels.

This intervention is paramount, especially in the context of managing the effects of high-dose corticosteroids, where the risk of hyperglycemia is heightened. Monitoring other aspects like vital signs and encouraging a high-protein diet may still be relevant, but they do not address the potentially immediate and significant impact of hydrocortisone on blood glucose control as directly as daily assessments do. Providing patient education is also essential, but it cannot directly mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating blood sugar levels resulting from the