A patient with serous otitis media is prescribed a corticosteroid. What is the intended therapeutic effect of this medication?
Understand the Problem
The question asks about the intended therapeutic effect of corticosteroids when prescribed for serous otitis media (middle ear inflammation with fluid buildup). We need to identify which of the provided options best describes how corticosteroids help in this condition.
Answer
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation to help drain fluid from the ear in serous otitis media.
The intended therapeutic effect of a corticosteroid for serous otitis media is to reduce inflammation, which helps to facilitate drainage of fluid from the ear.
Answer for screen readers
The intended therapeutic effect of a corticosteroid for serous otitis media is to reduce inflammation, which helps to facilitate drainage of fluid from the ear.
More Information
Serous otitis media is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear without acute infection. Corticosteroids are prescribed for their anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing inflammation in the middle ear and Eustachian tube, these medications help to promote drainage of the accumulated fluid.
Tips
A common mistake is to think corticosteroids directly target the infection. While sometimes antibiotics are used if a bacterial infection is present, corticosteroids primarily address inflammation, not the infection itself.
Sources
- Fluid in the Ear (Serous Otitis Media) - What You Need to Know - drugs.com
- Systemic corticosteroids for acute otitis media in children - PMC - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone (otic route) - Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.org
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