The nurse is preparing a female client with Addison's disease for self-care afi.4 discharge. Which is the pathophysiological basis to support the need for the client to carry a cortisol kit at all times?
The drug may be needed to treat a sudden systemic allergic reaction.
Hypertensive crisis requires immediate treatment to prevent a stroke.
Hyperglycemia may require cortisol to lower the blood glucose level.
Stress increases the body's need for additional replacement hormone.
The Correct Answer is D
A) The drug may be needed to treat a sudden systemic allergic reaction:
While cortisol may play a role in managing allergic reactions by suppressing inflammation, the primary reason for carrying a cortisol kit in Addison's disease is not typically related to managing allergic reactions.
B) Hypertensive crisis requires immediate treatment to prevent a stroke:
Hypertensive crisis may occur in some individuals with Addison's disease due to adrenal insufficiency, but the immediate treatment for this would typically involve fluids and intravenous hydrocortisone rather than carrying a cortisol kit for self-administration.
C) Hyperglycemia may require cortisol to lower the blood glucose level:
Cortisol can indeed influence blood glucose levels, but the need to carry a cortisol kit is primarily related to the management of adrenal insufficiency rather than hyperglycemia alone.
D) Stress increases the body's need for additional replacement hormone:
Correct. Individuals with Addison's disease have insufficient production of cortisol and often also lack aldosterone. During times of stress, such as illness, trauma, or surgery, the body's demand for cortisol increases to help cope with the stress. Inadequate cortisol production during stress can lead to adrenal crisis, a life-threatening condition. Therefore, carrying a cortisol kit allows the individual to promptly administer additional replacement hormone (usually hydrocortisone) during times of stress to prevent adrenal crisis.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Small, skin-colored, pedunculated papules in areas of skin folds and on other areas as skin tags:
This description is more characteristic of acrochordons (skin tags), which are benign skin growths often found in skin folds. Skin tags are typically not associated with acne vulgaris.
B) Hyperpigmented areas that vary in form and color and are slightly elevated from the skin:
This description may be indicative of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can occur after resolution of acne lesions. However, it does not represent the primary pathological findings observed in acne vulgaris.
C) Hyperactive sebaceous areas forming comedones, papules, pustules on the face, neck, and upper back:
Correct. Acne vulgaris is characterized by hyperactive sebaceous glands, leading to the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, and pustules. These lesions commonly occur on the face, neck, and upper back due to the high density of sebaceous glands in these areas.
D) Sharply demarcated silvery scaling plaques with underlying redness on the elbows and knees:
This description is more indicative of psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin condition characterized by silvery scaling plaques and inflammation. Psoriasis typically affects extensor surfaces such as the elbows and knees, rather than the areas commonly affected by acne vulgaris.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Nerve degeneration due to chronic gastric reflux:
Nerve degeneration due to chronic gastric reflux may lead to conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophagitis, but it is not directly related to the clinical presentation of intestinal obstruction. Symptoms of GERD or esophagitis typically include heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia rather than severe, colicky abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention.
B) Volvulus that occurred during an appendectomy:
Correct. Volvulus refers to the twisting of a segment of the intestine around its mesentery, leading to obstruction of the bowel lumen and compromising blood flow to the affected area. In this scenario, the client's clinical presentation of severe, colicky abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention is consistent with symptoms of intestinal obstruction, which can occur secondary to volvulus. Volvulus may result from various factors, including prior abdominal surgeries, such as an appendectomy, leading to abnormal positioning or adhesions within the abdomen.
C) Esophagitis due to reflux of gastric contents:
Esophagitis due to reflux of gastric contents can cause symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing, but it is not typically associated with severe, colicky abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention characteristic of intestinal obstruction.
D) A history of having Helicobacter pylori infection:
Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with conditions such as peptic ulcer disease and gastritis, but it is not directly related to the clinical presentation of intestinal obstruction. Symptoms of H. pylori infection may include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, but they are not typically colicky and severe as those seen in intestinal obstruction.
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