Primary adrenal insufficiency is manifested by:

Question

A) Truncal obesity and 3+ pitting edema in lower legs
B) Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L and weight gain of 3 pounds overnight
C) Serum sodium level of 120 mmol/L (low) and blood glucose level of 48 mg/dL (low)
D) Hypopigmentation over neck and BP greater than 150/90

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Primary adrenal insufficiency is adrenal cortical hormone deficiency with elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels caused by a lack of feedback inhibition. Manifestations are related primarily to mineralocorticoid deficiency, causing increased urinary losses of sodium, chloride, and water, along with decreased excretion of potassium. The result is hyponatremia, loss of extracellular fluid, decreased cardiac output, and hyperkalemia. Because of a lack of glucocorticoid, the person with Addison disease has poor tolerance to stress. This deficiency causes hypoglycemia, lethargy, weakness, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Hypopigmentation results from elevated ACTH levels.