Question

Maximizing the benefit a patient gets from overall therapy includes counseling patients in terms of
a. anti coagulation
b. infection prophylaxis
c. bone health
d. regular vision exams, including for cataracts
e. a, b, c

Answer 1

e. a, b, c

Rationale (brief):
- Anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy: in selected conditions (e.g., giant cell arteritis, patients at high thrombotic risk, or when certain agents increase VTE risk) adding or assessing need for antithrombotic therapy can reduce ischemic complications.
- Infection prophylaxis: vaccinate appropriately (influenza, pneumococcal, zoster when indicated), screen/treat latent infections (e.g., TB, hepatitis) and consider prophylactic antimicrobials when using strong immunosuppression.
- Bone health: prevent steroid- or disease-related osteoporosis with calcium/vitamin D, lifestyle measures, and pharmacologic therapy (bisphosphonates, etc.) as indicated.

(Regular vision exams are important for specific therapies—e.g., long-term steroids or hydroxychloroquine—so they are also relevant in many situations, but the best answer among the choices given is e.)