Addisons Disease
(Adrenocortical Insufficiency)
Defition
Occurs when adrenal cortex function is inadequate to
meet the patients need for cortical hormones.
Other causes include surgical removal of both adrenal
glands and infection of adrenal glands.
Risk Factors
Have cancer (Lung Cancer)
Taking anticoagulants
Chronic infections
Patients who undergone adrenalectomy
Have autoimmune disease
Etiology
Have a problem in immune system
Genetics
Infections linked to AIDS, and fungal infections
Amyloidosis
Adrenalectomy
Anatomy and Physiology
Pathophysiology
Etiology
Etiology
Autoimmune: TB, fungal
Defects, surgically removed
infections, AIDS
Depressed Anterior
Destruction of own tissue
Pituitary gland function
Decreased ACTH
production
Affects functioning of
Adrenal Cortex
Depressed adrenal
stimulation
Decrease production of
Mineralocorticoid and
glucocorticoids
Cortisol deficiency Aldosterone deficiency
-Extreme fatigue
-Weight loss, anorexia
-Muscle weakness
-Changes in mood or
personality
Signs and symptoms
Extreme tiredness, weakness, weight loss
Hyperpigmentation, anorexia
Changes in mood and personality
Diagnostic studies
Blood test
ACTH stimulation test
Imaging tests
Medical Treatment
All treatment for Addison's disease involves
hormone replacement therapy to correct the levels
of steroid hormones your body isn't producing.
Some options for treatment include:
Oral corticosteroids. Your doctor may prescribe
fludrocortisones (Florinef) to replaces aldosterone.
Hydrocortisone (Cortef), prednisone or cortisone
acetate may be used to replace cortisol.
Corticosteroid injections. If you're ill with vomiting
and can't retain oral medications, injections are an
option.
Androgen replacement therapy. To treat androgen
deficiency in women, dehydroepiandrosterone can be
prescribed. Some studies suggest that this therapy
may improve overall sense of well-being, libido and
sexual satisfaction.
An ample intake of sodium is recommended,
especially during heavy exercise, when the weather is
hot, or if you have gastrointestinal upsets, such as
diarrhea.
Nursing Responsiblity
Restore Fluid Balance the nurse encourages the
patient to consume foods and fluids that assist in
restoring and maintaining fluid and electrolyte
balance.
Improve Activity Tolerance until the patients
condition is stabilized, the nurse takes precautions to
avoid unnecessary activity and stress that could
trigger a hypotensive episode.
Assessment Diagnosis Planning Intervention Evaluation
Subjective: Risk for After 8 hours Independent: After 8 hours
Wala akong deficient fluid for nursing -Monitor the I/O of nursing
gana uminom volume related intervention, of the patient intervention
-Encourage
ng tubig as to inadequate the patient will the patient is
intake of oral
verbalized by fluid intake as maintain fluids now able to
the client evidenced by adequate fluid -Instruct the maintain
dry lips, dry volume as patient to ingest adequate fluid
Objective: skin, decreased evidenced by salt additives in volume.
-Dry lips skin turgor good skin conditions of
-Dry skin turgor and excessive heat or The goal was
-decreased skin balanced humidity met.
turgor intake and
Dependent:
output -Administer
replacement
medications
(Cortisone,
prednisone)
Collaborative:
Refer to dietician
