Practice Question
A client with a history of Addison's disease and flu-like symptoms accompanied by nausea and vomiting over the past week is brought to the facility. His wife reports that he acted confused and was extremely weak when he awoke that morning. The client's blood pressure is 90/58 mm Hg, his pulse is 116 beats/minute, and his temperature is 101°F (38.3°C). A diagnosis of acute adrenal insufficiency is made. What should the nurse expect to administer by I.V. infusion?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Methylprednisolone (Solu-medrol)
Rationale:
♦️Acute adrenal insufficiency (Addisonian crisis) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when there is a sudden drop in cortisol levels.
♦️It is typical in response to stress or illness in clients with Addison’s disease.
♦️The most urgent treatment involves administration of IV corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone, to replace the critical cortisol deficit.
♦️This reverses symptoms like hypotension, confusion, weakness, and fever.
♦️Delayed or inadequate corticosteroid therapy may result in shock and death, making this the first-line intervention.
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This question is from RN ATI Medsurg Exam 8 which contains 45 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 4