National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common side effect of prolonged corticosteroid use?

1. Bradycardia

2. Increased blood pressure

3. Tachycardia

4. Arrhythmias

The correct answer is: Increased blood pressure

Prolonged corticosteroid use is associated with a variety of side effects, one of the most notable being increased blood pressure. Corticosteroids can cause sodium and water retention, leading to fluid overload, which contributes to hypertension. Additionally, they can affect the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, leading to alterations in weight and potentially increased blood volume, further exacerbating blood pressure elevation. While the other choices relate to heart rate and rhythm issues, they are less commonly associated with corticosteroids compared to hypertension. For instance, bradycardia and tachycardia typically have different underlying causes, and arrhythmias can arise from a variety of conditions, but they are not the primary concern with corticosteroid therapy. This highlights why increased blood pressure is the more representative side effect of long-term corticosteroid use, as it is a direct result of the medication's impact on cardiovascular and metabolic processes.