A patient diagnosed with an adrenal gland alteration tells the nurse, "I am rarely outside in the sun but I'm getting such a tan!" Which nursing intervention is a priority in addressing the patient's concern?

Question

1. Ask if the patient is still taking the prescribed steroid for Addison's disease.
2. Ask the patient what time of day he or she is outdoors.
3. Auscultate the patient's lung sounds, particularly for wheezing.
4. Palpate the patient's thyroid gland.

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: One of the symptoms of adrenocortical hypofunction (Addison's disease) is hyperpigmentation. If the patient has stopped taking the prescribed steroid, symptomology may have developed.
Rationale 2: The patient has already reported spending limited time outdoors. Another question would be more relevant.
Rationale 3: Auscultation of lung sounds would not help in determining the cause of this skin change.
Rationale 4: Palpation of the thyroid gland would not help in determining the cause of this skin change.