A nurse in a clinic is reviewing the home medications of client who has a history of asthma, and who is at the clinic to have a routine annual physical. Which statement made by the patient would indicate a need for further action by the nurse?

A. Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat fluid overload by increasing urine output. In an Addisonian crisis, the primary issue is the severe lack of adrenal hormones rather than fluid overload. Administering furosemide is not indicated in this situation, as it does not address the underlying cause of the crisis or correct electrolyte imbalances that are common in Addisonian crisis.
B. This is a common intravenous fluid choice for managing Addisonian crisis. The 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) helps to restore blood volume and correct electrolyte imbalances, while the 5% dextrose provides glucose to support energy needs. This combination helps to address hypovolemia (low blood volume) and prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), both of which can occur in an adrenal crisis.

C. Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication that can be used to treat Cushing’s syndrome, not Addisonian crisis. Insulin is used to manage blood glucose levels and would not be the primary treatment for Addisonian crisis. This option does not directly address the adrenal insufficiency or the immediate needs of an Addisonian crisis.
D. Addisonian crisis often presents with hyponatremia (low sodium) and hyperkalemia (high potassium) due to inadequate aldosterone production. Administering potassium chloride could exacerbate hyperkalemia, which is a concern in Addisonian crisis. Therefore, potassium chloride infusion is not appropriate and could worsen the electrolyte imbalance.

This is the correct expected outcome if the test is positive for myasthenia gravis. Edrophonium works quickly to increase acetylcholine levels, leading to temporary improvement in muscle strength. In a patient with myasthenia gravis, administration of edrophonium typically results in a rapid improvement in symptoms like facial weakness and ptosis within 30 to 60 seconds, with the effects lasting for a few minutes. This brief improvement is indicative of a positive result for myasthenia gravis.
B.A Worsening symptoms after administration of edrophonium are not expected and could indicate an adverse reaction or incorrect diagnosis. In myasthenia gravis, edrophonium typically improves symptoms rather than worsening them.
C. No change in symptoms would be unexpected in the case of myasthenia gravis. If edrophonium is effective, there should be a noticeable improvement in symptoms. If there is no change, it might suggest a diagnosis other than myasthenia gravis or that the test is inconclusive.
D. This outcome is not expected. Edrophonium has a very short duration of action, typically relieving symptoms for only a few minutes. The effects do not last for 24 hours. A longer-lasting improvement might be observed with other treatments for myasthenia gravis, such as anticholinesterase medications like pyridostigmine, but not with edrophonium.