A
This hormone is excessively produced in Cushing's syndrome.
What is cortisol?
The most common overall cause of Cushing's syndrome.
What is long-term corticosteroid use?
The characteristic rounded facial appearance seen in Cushing's syndrome.
What is moon face?
This fat accumulation on the upper back is commonly seen in Cushing's syndrome.
What is a buffalo hump?
This type of obesity affects the trunk while the extremities remain thin.
What is truncal obesity?
A pituitary tumor causing excess ACTH production results in this specific condition.
What is Cushing's disease?
A laboratory value commonly decreased because cortisol promotes potassium loss.
Question: What is serum potassium (hypokalemia)?
These purple skin markings often appear on the abdomen, thighs, or breasts.
Question: What are purple striae?
This screening test evaluates whether cortisol levels suppress after dexamethasone administration.
What is the dexamethasone suppression test?
Excess cortisol suppresses this body system, increasing infection risk.
What is the immune system?
A nurse caring for a patient with Cushing's syndrome would closely monitor for this complication because of osteoporosis
What are fractures?
A patient with moon face, buffalo hump, hyperglycemia, and hypertension is most likely experiencing this endocrine disorder.
What is Cushing's syndrome?
This 24-hour diagnostic study is commonly ordered to confirm excess cortisol production.
What is a 24-hour urine free cortisol test?
This medication may be used to reduce cortisol production when surgery is contraindicated.
What is ketoconazole (Nizoral)?
Because skin is thin and fragile, the nurse should prioritize this intervention.
What is frequent skin assessment and protection from injury?
A patient with Cushing's syndrome has hypernatremia, hypertension, and edema because cortisol produces effects similar to this hormone.
What is aldosterone?
After successful treatment of Cushing's syndrome, improvement would most likely be seen in these physical findings.
Question: What are moon face, buffalo hump, and truncal obesity?
Answer: A patient receiving radiation for a pituitary adenoma suddenly develops severe headache and changes in mental status. The nurse should recognize this as a possible complication involving this structure.
Question: What is the pituitary gland?
A nurse should recommend a diet high in potassium and calcium but low in this mineral to help reduce edema.
Question: What is sodium?
Answer: This assessment finding suggests treatment for Cushing's syndrome is effective.
What is a decrease in cortisol levels?
Answer: A patient underwent bilateral adrenalectomy for severe Cushing's syndrome. Three days later the patient develops hypotension, vomiting, weakness, and confusion. The nurse should suspect this life-threatening complication.
Question: What is an Addisonian (acute adrenal) crisis?
Answer: A patient taking ketoconazole for Cushing's syndrome is involved in a major motor vehicle accident. The nurse immediately recognizes the patient is at increased risk for this because adrenal hormone production is suppressed.
Question: What is an acute adrenal crisis due to an inability to respond to stress?
Answer: A patient with Cushing's syndrome presents with BP 180/100 mm Hg, glucose 320 mg/dL, potassium 2.9 mEq/L, and severe muscle weakness. The underlying pathophysiologic process responsible for all these findings is excessive secretion of this hormone.
Question: What is cortisol?
Answer: A patient has elevated cortisol levels that do not suppress with low-dose dexamethasone. ACTH levels are elevated. The nurse recognizes the most likely source of the disorder is this gland.
Question: What is the pituitary gland?
Answer: A nurse caring for a patient after adrenalectomy notes BP 84/48 mm Hg, decreasing urine output, increasing fatigue, and worsening weakness. Which priority action is indicated?
What is notifying the provider immediately and preparing for corticosteroid replacement therapy because the patient may be developing acute adrenal insufficiency?