When monitoring for adverse effects of anti-inflammatory asthma medications, which symptom should be observed?

When monitoring for adverse effects of anti-inflammatory asthma medications, particularly long-term corticosteroids, decreased immune function is a significant symptom to observe. One of the known side effects of corticosteroids is their impact on the immune system, which can suppress the body's ability to fight infections. This can be especially relevant in pediatric patients, as their immune systems are still developing.

Children on anti-inflammatory medications may experience increased susceptibility to infections due to this immunosuppressive effect. Therefore, healthcare providers will often look for signs of infections, such as fever or unusual levels of fatigue, as indirect indicators of decreased immune function.

While symptoms like mild headache, nausea and vomiting, and a skin rash can also occur with various medications or their side effects, they are not as directly indicative of the specific adverse effect linked to anti-inflammatory asthma medications as decreased immune function is. Thus, monitoring for immune-related symptoms is crucial for patient safety and effective management of asthma treatment.