Which of the following is a common side effect of using corticosteroids for long-term therapy?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hyperglycemia. Corticosteroids can lead to increased blood glucose levels by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing insulin sensitivity. This can result in hyperglycemia over time. Weight loss (B) is not a common side effect of corticosteroids; in fact, weight gain is more common. Hypotension (C) is not typically associated with corticosteroid use, as they can actually lead to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. Hypertension (D) is a potential side effect of corticosteroids due to sodium and water retention, but it is less common than hyperglycemia.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Diuretics are commonly used to reduce fluid retention in conditions like heart failure by increasing urine output. This helps decrease edema and reduce the workload on the heart. Other choices are incorrect: A is treated with lipid-lowering medications, C with sleep aids, and D with antidiabetic drugs.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tachycardia. Albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist that primarily acts on beta2 receptors in the lungs to cause bronchodilation. However, it can also stimulate beta1 receptors in the heart, leading to an increase in heart rate (tachycardia). This is a commonly observed side effect of albuterol use. Bradycardia (A) is not typically associated with albuterol use due to its beta-adreergic agonist activity. Weight gain (C) is not a common side effect of albuterol and is more commonly associated with other medications. Hypoglycemia (D) is not a typical side effect of albuterol use, as it does not directly affect blood sugar levels.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication that works by blocking muscarinic receptors, leading to bronchodilation in patients with COPD. This mechanism of action reduces bronchoconstriction and improves airflow. A: Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors is incorrect because ipratropium does not act on beta-2 adrenergic receptors. B: Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the lungs is incorrect as ipratropium does not affect the breakdown of acetylcholine. D: Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells is incorrect because ipratropium does not target histamine release. In summary, the correct answer is C because ipratropium's mechanism of action involves blocking muscarinic receptors to achieve bronchodilation in COPD patients

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Inhibiting the release of norepinephrine in the brainstem. Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that works by inhibiting norepinephrine release in the brainstem, leading to decreased sympathetic outflow and ultimately reducing blood pressure. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because clonidine does not act by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, promoting vasodilation by inhibiting calcium channels, or increasing the excretion of sodium and water in the kidneys. The primary mechanism of clonidine's antihypertensive effect lies in its action on norepinephrine release in the brainstem.