A 50-year-old man has been taking prednisone (Deltasone) following a severe reaction to poison ivy. He asks the student nurse why the doses get smaller day to day. The student replies correctly saying: Select one: a. "You can just stop taking the medication if your rash is better." b. "Cushing's syndrome may develop as a reaction to a sudden drop of serum cortisone levels." c. "Sudden discontinuation of this medication may result in Addison's Disease." d. "You would experience a rebound immune effect if the drug were discontinued abruptly."

### d. "You would experience a rebound immune effect if the drug were discontinued abruptly."

## Step1: Understanding the question### The question is about the reason for gradually reducing the dosage of prednisone in a patient who has had a severe reaction to poison ivy. The patient is curious about why the doses are getting smaller day by day.## Step2: Analyzing the options### We have four options to choose from. We need to analyze each option and see which one correctly explains the reason for the reduction in dosage.## Step3: Evaluating Option A### Option A suggests that the patient can stop taking the medication if his rash is better. However, this does not explain why the doses are getting smaller day by day.## Step4: Evaluating Option B### Option B suggests that Cushing's syndrome may develop as a reaction to a sudden drop of serum cortisone levels. While this is a potential side effect of prednisone, it does not explain why the doses are getting smaller.## Step5: Evaluating Option C### Option C suggests that sudden discontinuation of this medication may result in Addison's Disease. This is incorrect because Addison's disease is a condition where the body doesn't produce enough cortisol, which is not related to the sudden discontinuation of prednisone.## Step6: Evaluating Option D### Option D suggests that the patient would experience a rebound immune effect if the drug were discontinued abruptly. This is the correct answer because prednisone is a corticosteroid that suppresses the immune system. If it is suddenly discontinued, the immune system may rebound, leading to a flare-up of the original condition.