In: Nursing
Active learning template. Concept analysis on acute adrenal crises
Acute Adrenal Crisis
* Medical emergency caused by lack of cortisol.
Key points :-
* Cortisol - A steroid hormone (glucocorticoid) which deal with glucose metabolism.
*Adrenal cortex- Produces cortisol.
*pituitary gland - (anterior) regulates cortisol production by ACTH ( adrenocorticotropic hormone )
Causes :-
* Damage to the adrenal cortex
* Under treated addison's disease
* Adrenalectomy - removal of adrenal gland
* Damage to pituitary gland & no enough ACTH
Signs & symptoms :-
* Dehydration
* low blood pressure
* Sudden pain in stomach, back and legs
*Syncope
* Shock
* Severe Vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache
* Hyponatremia
* Hyperkalemia
* Hypoglycemia
Diagnosis :-
* electrolytes and glucose
*Baseline cortisol and ACTH
- send before steroid administration
* Renin random cortisol
*ACTH stimulation test
MAnagement :-
* Emergency management
- IV access
-Draw blood for stat electrolytes and glucose
- infuse 2-3 L of 0.9% saline or 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline solution.
- Administer cortisol stat
(Hydrocortisone along with iv fluids 100 mg every 6 hours )
-supportive management
* chronic management
- start glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
(Prednisone, hydrocortisone )
* Patient education
-Recognition & treatment of minor and major stress /illness
- clean evironment to prevent infection