A Patient Taking High Doses of a Glucocorticoid Develops Weakness

question 15

Multiple Choice

A patient taking high doses of a glucocorticoid develops weakness in the muscles of the upper arms and in the legs. What action will the provider take?

• A) Reducing the dose of the glucocorticoid medication
• B) Encourage the patient to restrict sodium intake.
• C) Reassure the patient that this is an expected side effect.
• D) Discontinue the medication immediately.

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Definitions:

Magical Thinking

The belief that one's thoughts, words, or actions can directly influence the physical world or the course of events in an irrational way.

First Instinct Fallacy

The mistaken belief that an individual's initial answer to a question is more likely to be correct than any answer they might change it to upon further consideration.

False Consensus Effect

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share one's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.

False Consensus Effect

A cognitive bias whereby people overestimate the degree to which their beliefs, opinions, preferences, values, and habits are normal and typical of those of others.