When administering steroids for ITP, what is the expected effect?

When administering steroids for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), the expected effect is to reduce inflammation. Steroids, particularly corticosteroids, work by modulating the immune response, leading to a decrease in the immune-mediated destruction of platelets. They help to decrease the inflammatory response that contributes to the autoimmune attack on platelets. In patients with ITP, the immune system mistakenly targets and destroys platelets, and steroids can mitigate this reaction.

By reducing inflammation, steroids can also help to stabilize the platelet count, although their primary mechanism in this context is to diminish the immune response rather than directly affecting platelet production or clotting. Other choices related to increasing blood viscosity or decreasing platelet production do not align with the primary therapeutic goal and action of steroids in the management of ITP.