Adrenal crisis

Question 1

Sx of adrenal crisis

Answer 1

Weakness, abdominal pain, fever, confusion, vomiting
Low blood pressure, dehydration
Increased skin pigmentation
Insufficient aldosterone and cortisol
Dehydration and hypotension

Question 2

What causes primary adrenal crisis?

Answer 2

Destruction or dysfunction of adrenal cortex

Question 3

What causes secondary adrenal crisis?

Answer 3

ACTH hyposecretion

Question 4

If steroids are stopped or decreased too quickly, what happens to the adrenal gland?

Answer 4

Adrenal glands may not begin making cortisol fast enough to meet body’s needs

Question 5

How should patients be taken off steroid drugs?

Answer 5

Slowly tapered off under physician supervision

Question 6

Treatment of adrenal crisis

Answer 6

Refer to MO
Treat with hydrocortisone 100-300mg IV and saline

Question 7

What disease causes chronic adrenal insufficiency?

Answer 7

Addison disease

Question 8

Sx of chronic adrenal crisis?

Answer 8

Weakness, fatigability
Weight loss
Anorexia
Mental irritability
Anxiety

Question 9

For chronic adrenal crisis, what imaging should be done?

Answer 9

CT: looking for noncalcified adrenal in autoimmune Addison disease