NUR 3450 EXAM 3 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION ACCURATE QUESTIONS
GRADED A PLUS
●● Addison's Disease
Answer: Adrenocortical Insufficiency (primary cause)
Occurs when adrenal glands are damaged and do not work properly
●● Hormones Produced by the Adrenal Glands
Answer: - Cortical Hormones: regulates BP, glucose, sleep/wake cycle,
suppresses inflammation, and assists in controlling use of fats, carbs, and
proteins
- Aldosterone: regulates BP and electrolytes
- Epinephrine and Norepinephrine: regulates fight or flight response
- Androgens: regulates sex hormones
●● Causes of Addison's Disease
Answer: - Autoimmune Atrophy (most common)
- Removal of Glands (results in no cortisol production)
- Infection of Glands (TB destroys adrenal gland tissue)
●● Addison's Disease Cues
,Answer: **Develop Slowly Over Time**
**All Low Besides Potassium**
- Muscle weakness
- Anorexia
- GI symptoms
- Hypotension
- Increased K+ (low aldosterone)
- Decreased Na
- Decreased glucose
- Depression, confusion, apathy
●● Addison's Disease Diagnostics
Answer: - ACTH Test (adrenal corticotrophin hormone - tests adrenal
glands response - stimulate cortisol production)
- CT Scan
●● Addison's Disease Diagnostic Findings
Answer: - Elevated ACTH
- Decreased Cortisol
- Antibody blood test (autoimmune test)
- Decreased glucose, sodium
- Increased potassium, and WBCs (infection)
,●● Addison's Disease Treatment/Management
Answer: - Based on cues (infection=antibiotics)
- Diet therapy (high protein, carbs, calcium, vitamin D, sodium and Low
potassium)
- Hormone therapy
Hydrocortisone (cortef), prednisone or
methylprednisolone (all replace cortisol)
Fludrocortisone acetate (replaces
aldosterone)
●● Addisonian Crisis Cause
Answer: -Physical stress (infection, trauma, dehydration)
-Physiological stress
-Inconsistent or withdrawal from hormone medications
●● Addisonian Crisis Cues
Answer: -N/V
-Abdominal pain
-Fever
-Dehydration (low glucose, high potassium, low sodium)
-Shock, hypotension, rapid and weak pulse, pallor, extreme weakness
, **May lead to death if left untreated**
●● Addisonian Crisis Treatment
Answer: -Administer hydrocortisone
-IVF (0.9% NS or D5W)
-IV glucose as needed
-Meds to lower K+ (Kayexalate)
**Consistantly/Continuously monitor patient**
●● Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors
Answer: -Family Hx
-Race/ethnicity (black, African American, Native American, hispanic)
-Age (>45, type II)
-HTN
-High Cholesterol
-Hx of gestational DM or a large baby (over 9lbs)
●● Diabetes Mellitus Cues
Answer: -Polyuria
-Polydipsia
-Polyphagia
-Fatigue/weakness
EVALUATION ACCURATE QUESTIONS
GRADED A PLUS
●● Addison's Disease
Answer: Adrenocortical Insufficiency (primary cause)
Occurs when adrenal glands are damaged and do not work properly
●● Hormones Produced by the Adrenal Glands
Answer: - Cortical Hormones: regulates BP, glucose, sleep/wake cycle,
suppresses inflammation, and assists in controlling use of fats, carbs, and
proteins
- Aldosterone: regulates BP and electrolytes
- Epinephrine and Norepinephrine: regulates fight or flight response
- Androgens: regulates sex hormones
●● Causes of Addison's Disease
Answer: - Autoimmune Atrophy (most common)
- Removal of Glands (results in no cortisol production)
- Infection of Glands (TB destroys adrenal gland tissue)
●● Addison's Disease Cues
,Answer: **Develop Slowly Over Time**
**All Low Besides Potassium**
- Muscle weakness
- Anorexia
- GI symptoms
- Hypotension
- Increased K+ (low aldosterone)
- Decreased Na
- Decreased glucose
- Depression, confusion, apathy
●● Addison's Disease Diagnostics
Answer: - ACTH Test (adrenal corticotrophin hormone - tests adrenal
glands response - stimulate cortisol production)
- CT Scan
●● Addison's Disease Diagnostic Findings
Answer: - Elevated ACTH
- Decreased Cortisol
- Antibody blood test (autoimmune test)
- Decreased glucose, sodium
- Increased potassium, and WBCs (infection)
,●● Addison's Disease Treatment/Management
Answer: - Based on cues (infection=antibiotics)
- Diet therapy (high protein, carbs, calcium, vitamin D, sodium and Low
potassium)
- Hormone therapy
Hydrocortisone (cortef), prednisone or
methylprednisolone (all replace cortisol)
Fludrocortisone acetate (replaces
aldosterone)
●● Addisonian Crisis Cause
Answer: -Physical stress (infection, trauma, dehydration)
-Physiological stress
-Inconsistent or withdrawal from hormone medications
●● Addisonian Crisis Cues
Answer: -N/V
-Abdominal pain
-Fever
-Dehydration (low glucose, high potassium, low sodium)
-Shock, hypotension, rapid and weak pulse, pallor, extreme weakness
, **May lead to death if left untreated**
●● Addisonian Crisis Treatment
Answer: -Administer hydrocortisone
-IVF (0.9% NS or D5W)
-IV glucose as needed
-Meds to lower K+ (Kayexalate)
**Consistantly/Continuously monitor patient**
●● Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors
Answer: -Family Hx
-Race/ethnicity (black, African American, Native American, hispanic)
-Age (>45, type II)
-HTN
-High Cholesterol
-Hx of gestational DM or a large baby (over 9lbs)
●● Diabetes Mellitus Cues
Answer: -Polyuria
-Polydipsia
-Polyphagia
-Fatigue/weakness
