Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with adrenal hypofunction?

Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with adrenal hypofunction?

• A. Administer steroid therapy
• B. Administer diuretics
• C. Withhold fluids
• D. Avoid monitoring labs

Answer: (A)

Adrenal hypofunction drops cortisol (and often aldosterone), leading to low blood pressure, dehydration, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. Replacing the missing hormone is essential, so giving steroid therapy is the main nursing intervention. Glucocorticoids like hydrocortisone help restore sugar metabolism, vascular tone, and electrolyte balance, addressing the core problems that come with adrenal insufficiency. Diuretics would worsen dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, withholding fluids would worsen hypovolemia, and avoiding labs would prevent monitoring critical changes in electrolytes, glucose, and overall status. Administering steroid therapy directly targets the deficiency and stabilizes the patient.

Adrenal hypofunction drops cortisol (and often aldosterone), leading to low blood pressure, dehydration, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. Replacing the missing hormone is essential, so giving steroid therapy is the main nursing intervention. Glucocorticoids like hydrocortisone help restore sugar metabolism, vascular tone, and electrolyte balance, addressing the core problems that come with adrenal insufficiency.

Diuretics would worsen dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, withholding fluids would worsen hypovolemia, and avoiding labs would prevent monitoring critical changes in electrolytes, glucose, and overall status. Administering steroid therapy directly targets the deficiency and stabilizes the patient.