FLAG

A nurse is caring for a client who has atopic dermatitis and a prescription for triamcinolone

ointment. The nurse should assess the client to monitor for which of the following adverse

effects?

Increased pigmentation

Topical glucocorticoid therapy can cause the adverse effect of hypopigmentation.

Localized hair loss

Long-term glucocorticoid therapy can cause hypertrichosis, or excessive hair growth, especially

on the facial area.

Thinning of the skin

MY ANSWER

Thinning of the skin and delayed healing are adverse effects of topical glucocorticoid

preparations. The client should only apply the ointment to dry patches of the skin because

topical steroids can cause atrophy of the dermis and epidermis, which can result in thinning of

the skin.

Increased sensitivity to the sun