Question

A 16-year-old female high-school student is receiving treatment for Addison’s disease. The student confided in the school RN that she is going to stop taking her prednisone because it makes her feel “ugly.” She states she is depressed and embarrassed to be at school because of the side effects caused by the medication. After further review of the situation, the RN determines an interprofessional team should be convened to address the student's needs.

Initial Discussion Post:

Address the following:

Describe three (3) significant side effects of corticosteroid treatment for Addison’s disease.

Which factors make having Addison’s disease especially problematic for adolescents and why?

Discuss why an interprofessional team is appropriate for this situation, who should be included on the team, and the role of the RN on the team.

Answer 1

Three major side effects of corticosteroidal treatment in the Addition’s disease in female are:

Change in the menstrual cycle, facial hair growth and acne.

Hence this is the cause that the female patient may feel that she is becoming ugly.

Additions disease has the impact on hormonal level of the adolescents it affects their physical, mental and behavioral responses towards the society, which is more problematic.

The reason behind this is:

This disease affects the adrenal gland in the body which produces the hormones that affect the mood, metabolism and growth of the body. It also dictates that how your body responds to stress. Hence this condition is very problematic.

Yes in this is the case of the side effects of the corticosteroid treatment. And the RN has a good job to set an interprofessional team to tackle this case. There is need to involve physician, nursing staffs and pharmacist in the discussion to tackle this case. There is need of planning for effective dose determination, the things to be avoided, need to reduce the chances of contraindications, need to avoid drug-drug & drug-food interactions in the therapy.

There is need to motivate the patient also. Hence by adopting the above plans and after implementing it effectively this case may be handled in the best way.