Which laboratory tests would likely be ordered for a patient with acute adrenal insufficiency?

Which laboratory tests would likely be ordered for a patient with acute adrenal insufficiency?

• A. Sodium
• B. Cortisol
• C. Potassium
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Acute adrenal insufficiency disrupts both cortisol and aldosterone production, so evaluating both electrolytes and cortisol is essential. Aldosterone deficiency leads to impaired sodium reabsorption and reduced potassium excretion, causing hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Cortisol deficiency contributes to a poor stress response and can worsen hyponatremia via increased ADH, along with potential hypoglycemia and hypotension. Measuring sodium and potassium tells you what’s happening with mineralocorticoid effects, while a serum cortisol level helps confirm the deficiency. Together these tests capture the key disturbances of an adrenal crisis, so all of the above would be ordered.

Acute adrenal insufficiency disrupts both cortisol and aldosterone production, so evaluating both electrolytes and cortisol is essential. Aldosterone deficiency leads to impaired sodium reabsorption and reduced potassium excretion, causing hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Cortisol deficiency contributes to a poor stress response and can worsen hyponatremia via increased ADH, along with potential hypoglycemia and hypotension. Measuring sodium and potassium tells you what’s happening with mineralocorticoid effects, while a serum cortisol level helps confirm the deficiency. Together these tests capture the key disturbances of an adrenal crisis, so all of the above would be ordered.