A patient who had an organ transplant 4 years ago and takes prednisone and immunosuppressive drugs: which issue would the therapist MOST likely need to consider?

A patient who had an organ transplant 4 years ago and takes prednisone and immunosuppressive drugs: which issue would the therapist MOST likely need to consider?

• A. Isokinetic strengthening will be preferable for this patient
• B. The patient may have limited ROM from increased bone mass
• C. The patient will need to be treated in an isolation room
• D. Muscle strengthening may be limited in this patient

Answer: (D)

Chronic prednisone use with immunosuppressants commonly causes proximal muscle weakness known as steroid-induced myopathy, and immunosuppression can blunt recovery and raise infection risk. This combination means the patient is likely to have reduced muscle strength that limits how much strengthening can be done, especially at first. Strength training may need to be started with lower resistance and higher repetitions, focusing on functional relevance and gradual progression, while closely monitoring fatigue and signs of infection or delayed healing. ROM is often preserved despite weakness, and bone loss, not increased bone mass, is a concern with steroids—so the issue isn’t limited ROM from increased mass or needing isolation. Therefore, muscle strengthening may be limited in this patient, shaping a cautious,耐 progressive rehab approach.

Chronic prednisone use with immunosuppressants commonly causes proximal muscle weakness known as steroid-induced myopathy, and immunosuppression can blunt recovery and raise infection risk. This combination means the patient is likely to have reduced muscle strength that limits how much strengthening can be done, especially at first. Strength training may need to be started with lower resistance and higher repetitions, focusing on functional relevance and gradual progression, while closely monitoring fatigue and signs of infection or delayed healing. ROM is often preserved despite weakness, and bone loss, not increased bone mass, is a concern with steroids—so the issue isn’t limited ROM from increased mass or needing isolation. Therefore, muscle strengthening may be limited in this patient, shaping a cautious,耐 progressive rehab approach.