Nursing 213 Harmon Midterm
Examination and Already Passed
Answers with Solved Solutions
Graded A+ 2025.
Primary Source Disease - Answer Disease is caused by problem in affected gland
Secondary Source of Disease - Answer Disease is caused when a primary endocrine gland such
as the pituitary is causing problems with the gland that it regulates
Addison's Disease - Answer Occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the
hormone’s cortisol or aldosterone
Triggers for Addison's Disease - Answer Physical or emotional trauma triggers immune
response
S/S Addison's Disease - Answer Hyperpigmentation over joints, hands, feet. Fatigue, weight
loss, loss of consciousness, weakness
Diseases that can cause Addison's - Answer Tuberculosis, amyloidosis, fungal infections, AIDS,
metastatic cancer
Clinical manifestations of Addison's Disease - Answer Abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache,
orthostatic hypotension, salt craving, joint pain, hyperpigmentation
Complications of Addison's Disease - Answer Hypotension, hypoglycemia, tachycardia,
dehydration, low sodium, high potassium, fever, weakness, confusion, severe vomiting,
shock/circulatory collapse
Addisonian Crisis - Answer Rapid weight loss, loss of consciousness, treated with IV steroids
Conditions co-occurring with Addison's Disease - Answer Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune
thyroid disease, pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency), celiac
, ACTH Test - Answer First test to determine baseline levels of coritsol and adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH), then IV injection of synthetic ACTH, then levels are checked after 30 and 60
minutes. Little to no elevation in cortisol = Addison's
Hormone therapy for Addison's Disease - Answer Hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone (Florinef),
Increase during times of stress. Also increase dietary salt intake.
Treatment Addisonian Crisis - Answer 1) shock management
2) high-dose hydrocortisone replacement
3) large volumes of 0.9% saline and 5% dextrose to reverse hypotension and electrolyte
imbalances
Patient teaching Addison's - Answer Wear medical ID bracelet, have emergency kit with IM
hydrocortisone. Take glucocorticoids in divided doses, mineralcorticoids in the morning to
decrease side effects.
Complications with long term steroid use - Answer Hyperglycemia, hypotension, infection risk,
osteoporosis
Expected effects of corticosteroid therapy - Answer Antiinflammatory action,
immunosuppression, maintenance of normal BP
Side effects corticosteroids - Answer Hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia,
hypertension, delayed healing and increased risk of infection, peptic ulcer disease, muscle
atrophy, mood changes, moon face, truncal obesity, protein depletion, risk for acute adrenal
crisis if stopped abruptly
Cushing's Disease symptoms - Answer Hypertension, hyperglycemia, fatty "buffalo" hump
between shoulders, supraclavicular and posterior upper back fat, truncal obesity with thin
extremities, moon face, hirsuitism for women, alopecia, thin skin and subcutaneous tissue,
striae, compromised immune system, slow healing, ecchymosis, acne
Causes of Cushing's Disease - Answer Iatrogenic (caused by treatment) administration of
corticosteroids, adrenal tumors, ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (tumor), ectopic ACTH
production by tumors
Examination and Already Passed
Answers with Solved Solutions
Graded A+ 2025.
Primary Source Disease - Answer Disease is caused by problem in affected gland
Secondary Source of Disease - Answer Disease is caused when a primary endocrine gland such
as the pituitary is causing problems with the gland that it regulates
Addison's Disease - Answer Occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the
hormone’s cortisol or aldosterone
Triggers for Addison's Disease - Answer Physical or emotional trauma triggers immune
response
S/S Addison's Disease - Answer Hyperpigmentation over joints, hands, feet. Fatigue, weight
loss, loss of consciousness, weakness
Diseases that can cause Addison's - Answer Tuberculosis, amyloidosis, fungal infections, AIDS,
metastatic cancer
Clinical manifestations of Addison's Disease - Answer Abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache,
orthostatic hypotension, salt craving, joint pain, hyperpigmentation
Complications of Addison's Disease - Answer Hypotension, hypoglycemia, tachycardia,
dehydration, low sodium, high potassium, fever, weakness, confusion, severe vomiting,
shock/circulatory collapse
Addisonian Crisis - Answer Rapid weight loss, loss of consciousness, treated with IV steroids
Conditions co-occurring with Addison's Disease - Answer Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune
thyroid disease, pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency), celiac
, ACTH Test - Answer First test to determine baseline levels of coritsol and adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH), then IV injection of synthetic ACTH, then levels are checked after 30 and 60
minutes. Little to no elevation in cortisol = Addison's
Hormone therapy for Addison's Disease - Answer Hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone (Florinef),
Increase during times of stress. Also increase dietary salt intake.
Treatment Addisonian Crisis - Answer 1) shock management
2) high-dose hydrocortisone replacement
3) large volumes of 0.9% saline and 5% dextrose to reverse hypotension and electrolyte
imbalances
Patient teaching Addison's - Answer Wear medical ID bracelet, have emergency kit with IM
hydrocortisone. Take glucocorticoids in divided doses, mineralcorticoids in the morning to
decrease side effects.
Complications with long term steroid use - Answer Hyperglycemia, hypotension, infection risk,
osteoporosis
Expected effects of corticosteroid therapy - Answer Antiinflammatory action,
immunosuppression, maintenance of normal BP
Side effects corticosteroids - Answer Hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia,
hypertension, delayed healing and increased risk of infection, peptic ulcer disease, muscle
atrophy, mood changes, moon face, truncal obesity, protein depletion, risk for acute adrenal
crisis if stopped abruptly
Cushing's Disease symptoms - Answer Hypertension, hyperglycemia, fatty "buffalo" hump
between shoulders, supraclavicular and posterior upper back fat, truncal obesity with thin
extremities, moon face, hirsuitism for women, alopecia, thin skin and subcutaneous tissue,
striae, compromised immune system, slow healing, ecchymosis, acne
Causes of Cushing's Disease - Answer Iatrogenic (caused by treatment) administration of
corticosteroids, adrenal tumors, ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (tumor), ectopic ACTH
production by tumors
