A patient comes to the clinic with weakness, emaciation, and ...

[Mr3Hunna]

A patient comes to the clinic with weakness, emaciation, and hyperpigmentation. Lab tests reveal a potassium level of 6, a sodium level of 129, and a blood glucose of 60; the patient's blood pressure is 94/66.
 
  The nurse recognizes these symptoms as ________________ and anticipates that the prescriber will order _______________.
  a. Addison's disease; hydrocortisone
  b. Cushing's disease; fludrocortisone (Florinef)
  c. congenital adrenal hyperplasia; ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  d. primary hyperaldosteronism; spironolactone (Aldactone)

Question 2

The nurse has admitted a patient to the unit. While asking about the health history, the nurse asks if the patient is taking any medications. The patient states that she has been taking adrenal corticosteroids for a long time.
 
  The nurse recognizes that ______ may result from the use of adrenal corticosteroids at high doses.
  a. asthma
  b. Cushing's syndrome
  c. allergic reactions
  d. severe inflammation

[mcarey591]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Addison's disease is manifested by weakness, emaciation, hypoglycemia, and increased pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes. It also is manifested by hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and hypotension.
Cushing's disease is manifested by obesity, hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hypertension, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, myopathy, hirsutism, a moon face and buffalo hump.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is manifested by increased masculinization in girls and penile enlargement in boys.
Primary hyperaldosteronism is manifested by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and hypertension.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The adverse effects of chronic, high-dose therapy with adrenal corticosteroids include adrenal suppression and Cushing's syndrome.
Asthma, allergic reactions, and severe inflammation are not caused by high doses of adrenal corticosteroids.

[Mr3Hunna]

Thanks

[mcarey591]

Welcome