What information should the nurse include when educating a client with Crohn's disease about prednisone?

A. This medication can cause significant weight loss: Prednisone is a systemic corticosteroid that commonly causes increased appetite, fluid retention, and fat redistribution rather than weight loss. Clients may experience weight gain, moon face, and truncal obesity due to its glucocorticoid effects. Significant weight loss would not be an expected teaching point. B. Increase the dosage if your symptoms of Crohn's disease worsen: Prednisone dosing must be carefully prescribed and tapered under provider supervision to avoid adrenal suppression. Abrupt dosage increases without medical guidance can lead to excessive immunosuppression and adverse metabolic effects. Clients should report worsening symptoms. C. Stop taking prednisone immediately if experiencing side effects: Long-term corticosteroid use suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, reducing endogenous cortisol production. Abrupt discontinuation can precipitate acute adrenal insufficiency, characterized by hypotension, weakness, and potential circulatory collapse. Gradual tapering is required. D. Monitor your blood pressure daily while taking this medication: Prednisone promotes sodium and water retention through mineralocorticoid activity, which can increase intravascular volume and elevate blood pressure. It may also alter glucose metabolism and increase infection risk. Regular blood pressure monitoring helps detect early hypertensive effects associated with corticosteroid therapy.