Etiology and pathophysiology
Acute life-threatening emergency of adrenal insufficiency
What is an adrenal crisis?
Most critical presenting sign of adrenal crisis
Hypotension/shock
Most basic test to rule in adrenal crisis
Serum cortisol
Do not delay ... to obtain labs
What is treatment?
Endocrine ddx
What is thyroid storm?
Most common cause of adrenal crisis
What is Addison's disease?
Neuro symptom of adrenal crisis
What is loss of consciousness?
Sodium and potassium levels in adrenal crisis
Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
Possible fluid choices to treat adrenal crisis
0.9% saline or 5% dextrose
Cardio ddx
What is myocardial infarction?
Pathophysiology of hypotension in adrenal crisis
What is inability to regulate blood volume?
What two symptoms of adrenal crisis mimics that of appendicitis?
What is abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting?
ACTH level in primary adrenal insufficiency
What is high ACTH?
Hydrocortisone
GI ddx
What is appendicitis?
Most common secondary cause of adrenal crisis
What is abrupt withdrawal from long-term exogenous steroid therapy?
What symptom of adrenal crisis mimics that of a myocardial infarction?
What is sweating?
ACTH level in primary adrenal insufficiency
When should the IV fluids be given to treat adrenal crisis?
What is the first 12-24 hours?
Besides a thyroid storm, what is another endocrine ddx?
What is acute hypoglycemia?
Infection/severe illness, surgery, and trauma
What are triggers of adrenal crisis?
What common symptom in a thyroid storm differentiates it from an adrenal crisis?
What is fever?
What is ACTH stimulation test?
What is the dose of glucocorticoid to treat adrenal crisis?
What is drug toxicity?