A patient with Cushing's syndrome is scheduled to have a dexamethasone suppression test. The nurse explains that this test will involve administration of: dexamethasone
A) Orally, followed by a plasma cortisol level every hour for 3 hours
B) Intravenously, followed by an x-ray of the adrenal glands
C) Orally at 11 PM, and a plasma cortisol level at 8 AM the next morning
D) Intravenously, followed by a plasma cortisol level 3 hours after the drug is administered
Ans: C
Feedback: Dexamethasone (1 mg) is administered orally at 11 PM, and a plasma cortisol level is obtained at 8 AM the next morning. This test can be performed on an outpatient basis and is the most widely used and sensitive screening test for diagnosis of pituitary and adrenal causes of Cushing's syndrome.
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