Adrenal Insufficiency

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Endocrine Clinical reference

Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency: inadequate cortisol (± aldosterone). Primary (Addison disease): adrenal gland failure. Secondary: pituitary failure. Adrenal crisis: life-threatening — immediate hydrocortisone.

adrenal insufficiency Addison disease adrenal crisis hypocortisolism secondary adrenal insufficiency
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ICD-10
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Evidence
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Core official overview

What this condition is

Your adrenal glands are just above your kidneys. The outside layer of these glands makes hormones that help your body respond to stress and regulate your blood pressure and water and salt balance. Addison disease happens if the adrenal glands don't make enough of these hormones.A problem with your immune system usually causes Addison disease. The immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues, damaging your adren…

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Common tests

Tests performed

Morning cortisol (<3 µg/dL diagnostic, >18 rules out) ACTH stimulation test (gold standard) ACTH level (differentiate primary vs secondary) BMP (hyponatremia/hyperkalemia — primary) CBC Blood glucose
Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Acute crisis: Hydrocortisone 100mg IV bolus THEN 200mg/24h Chronic: Hydrocortisone 15-20 mg/day (split dosing) Fludrocortisone (primary AI only) Sick day rules: double/triple dose during illness
Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Adrenal Insufficiency.

Deficient Fluid Volume Fatigue Deficient Knowledge Risk for Shock
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Addison Disease Your adrenal glands are just above your kidneys. The outside layer of these glands makes hormones that help your body respond to stress and regulate your blood pressure and water and salt balance. Addison disease happens if the adrenal glands don't make enough of these hormones.A problem with your immune system usually causes Addison disease. The immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues, damaging your adren… Adrenal Gland Disorders What are adrenal glands?Your adrenal glands are two small organs that sit on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands make different types of hormones you need to stay alive and healthy. Hormones are chemicals that travel in your bloodstream and control how different parts of your body work.The adrenal glands make the hormones cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. They also make hormones that your body… Primary Ovarian Insufficiency What is primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)?Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) happens when your ovaries stop working normally before you are 40.As you get older, fertility naturally decreases. This usually starts around age 40 or later. Menstrual periods may also become irregular as you transition to menopause. If you have POI, these changes happen earlier, before age 40. Sometimes POI can start as early as the te… Skin Pigmentation Disorders Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect just patches of skin. Others affect your entire body. If your body makes too much melanin, your skin gets darker. Pregnancy…