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Patients taking glucocorticoids for long periods of time are likely to develop all of the following EXCEPT:

a. decreased bone density
b. wasting of skeletal muscle
c. opportunistic infections
d. increased leukocyte production

User Clawoo
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1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy are unlikely to develop increased leukocyte production; instead, they may experience decreased bone density, muscle wasting, and opportunistic infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

Patients taking glucocorticoids for long periods of time are likely to experience a range of side effects due to the hormonal imbalances caused by these medications. However, some outcomes are not typical results of prolonged glucocorticoid therapy. From the following options, the one symptom patients are NOT likely to develop is increased leukocyte production. Long-term use of glucocorticoids commonly leads to decreased bone density (often resulting in conditions like osteoporosis), wasting of skeletal muscle due to protein breakdown, and an increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections as a result of immunosuppression. The downregulation of the immune system also means patients would typically see a reduction in the production of leukocytes (white blood cells), not an increase.

User PhotonTamer
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