A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for prednisone to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should inform the client that which of the following is a therapeutic effect of this medication?

A. Increases bone density: Prednisone is a corticosteroid, and long-term use of corticosteroids can actually decrease bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis, not increase bone density. B. Reduces risk of infection: Corticosteroids like prednisone suppress the immune system, which can actually increase the risk of infections, rather than reduce it. Clients on prednisone should be monitored closely for signs of infection. C. Improves peripheral blood flow: Prednisone does not typically improve peripheral blood flow. In fact, corticosteroids can sometimes cause fluid retention and other circulatory effects, but they are not known to improve blood flow in the peripheral tissues. D. Decreases inflammation: Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory medication and is commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation, which is a key therapeutic effect for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. It works by suppressing the immune response and reducing swelling and pain associated with inflammation.