Which risk is associated with administering high doses of corticosteroids?

Administering high doses of corticosteroids is primarily associated with osteoporosis due to their impact on bone metabolism. Corticosteroids can inhibit the function of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, while also promoting the activity of osteoclasts, which break down bone. This imbalance can lead to decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures over time. Corticosteroids also interfere with the body's calcium absorption and can increase calcium excretion through the kidneys, further contributing to the risk of osteoporosis.

In contrast, hypoglycemia is more commonly associated with treatments involving insulin or other antidiabetic medications rather than corticosteroids, which generally raise blood sugar levels instead. Kidney failure is not a direct consequence of corticosteroid use but can occur in certain clinical scenarios, such as dehydration or other substance interactions. Hyperkalemia, an elevated level of potassium in the blood, is typically seen with certain medications like potassium-sparing diuretics or renal failure, rather than high-dose corticosteroid therapy, which may actually induce hypokalemia in some cases due to their effects on electrolyte balance. Therefore, the most significant and relevant risk associated with high doses of corticosteroids is osteoporosis.