What is a major nursing consideration for patients taking inhaled steroids?

Inhaled steroids, commonly used to manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can lead to an increased risk of oral candidiasis, also known as thrush. This fungal infection arises because inhaled steroids can suppress the local immune response in the oral cavity, making it easier for yeast to grow uncontrollably.

Regularly checking for signs of oral candidiasis, such as white patches in the mouth, soreness, or difficulty swallowing, is essential for nursing care. This monitoring allows for early detection and prompt treatment, which can prevent complications associated with the infection.

While monitoring blood sugar levels, assessing for hypertension, and evaluating for muscle pain are important considerations for other classes of medications or patient conditions, they are not primary concerns associated specifically with the use of inhaled steroids. Inhaled steroids typically have minimal systemic absorption and less impact on blood sugar compared to oral or systemic steroids, and muscle pain isn't a common side effect. Therefore, focusing on the risk of oral candidiasis is key in the management of patients using inhaled steroids.