Question 1 of 6
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Which condition does fludrocortisone help to prevent? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
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- HyponatremiaFludrocortisone is a synthetic drug that acts like natural aldosterone to help prevent hyponatremia.
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- HypernatremiaFludrocortisone works to retain sodium.
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- HypokalemiaFludrocortisone works to excrete more potassium. Therefore, it would worsen hypokalemia.
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- HyperkalemiaFludrocortisone is a synthetic drug that acts like natural aldosterone to help prevent hyperkalemia.
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- HypotensionFludrocortisone is a synthetic drug that acts like natural aldosterone to help prevent hypotension.
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- HypertensionFludrocortisone works to control water and sodium balance via the kidneys to retain sodium and excrete potassium.
Question 2 of 6
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Which action does aldosterone regulate?
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- Maintains critical blood glucose levelsCortisol helps to increase glucose in the bloodstream. It also regulates the stress response, excitability of cardiac muscle, immunity, and blood sodium levels.
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- Controls sodium and water balanceAldosterone helps to control blood pressure and water and sodium balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium.
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- Prevents low blood potassium levelsAldosterone works to retain sodium and excrete more potassium to prevent dangerously high blood potassium levels.
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- Regulates the stress responseAldosterone does not regulate the stress response; cortisol regulates the stress response, excitability of cardiac muscle, immunity, and blood sodium levels.
Question 3 of 6
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Which adverse effect would the nurse monitor for in a patient with adrenal gland hypofunction who is receiving fludrocortisone?
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- Kidney failureFludrocortisone helps to control water and sodium balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. However, kidney failure is not a serious adverse effect of fludrocortisone.
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- Liver failureFludrocortisone helps to control water and sodium balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. However, liver failure is not a serious adverse effect of fludrocortisone.
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- Heart failurePatients with adrenal gland hypofunction receiving fludrocortisone can develop heart failure due to fluid retention.
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- Respiratory failureFludrocortisone helps to control water and sodium balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. However, respiratory failure is not a serious adverse effect of fludrocortisone.
Question 4 of 6
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Which sign and symptom of adrenal insufficiency would the nurse monitor for in a patient receiving mitotane (Lysodren)? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
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- HyperglycemiaHypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia, is a sign and symptom of adrenal insufficiency.
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- Sugar cravingSalt, not sugar, craving is a sign and symptom of adrenal insufficiency.
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- Muscle weaknessMitotane (Lysodren) is a steroid production inhibitor that prevents the adrenal cortex from producing cortisol and other adrenal cortex hormones. Too much of the drug may cause muscle weakness, a symptom of adrenal insufficiency.
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- HypotensionMitotane (Lysodren) is a steroid production inhibitor that reduces the adrenal cortex ability from producing cortisol and other adrenal cortex hormones. Too much of the drug may cause hypotension, a sign of adrenal insufficiency.
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- FatigueMitotane (Lysodren) is a steroid production inhibitor that diminishes the adrenal cortex from producing cortisol and other adrenal cortex hormones. Too much of the drug may cause fatigue, a symptom of adrenal insufficiency.
Question 5 of 6
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Which response would the nurse provide when a patient who has been prescribed mitotane for adrenal gland hyperfunction asks the nurse, “Why is my urine bloody?”
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- “This is evidence of an adverse reaction to the drug.”An adverse effect to this drug would be caused by the suppression of cortisol as evidence by adrenal insufficiency.
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- “This is an expected side effect of the drug.”Mitotane suppresses adrenal hormone production, which explains why the patient has been experiencing hematuria.
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- “This is an allergic reaction to the drug.”Allergic reaction signs and symptoms are related to hives, difficult breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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- “This is a sign related to not taking the drug.”When there is adrenal gland hyperfunction, evidence of excessive secretion of cortisol such as hypercortisolism not hematuria.
Question 6 of 6
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Which patient would be a good candidate to receive the drug, mifepristone (Korlym)?
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- A 64-year-old female patient who has type 2 diabetes and Cushing syndromeMifepristone (Korlym) is a corticosteroid receptor blocker used to reduce the symptoms of hypercortisolism by acting as an antagonist and interfering with the binding of cortisol and its receptors. This drug is only for patients who have type 2 diabetes (hyperglycemia) along with hypercortisolism.
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- A 55-year-old male patient who has Addison diseaseFludrocortisone is a steroid that helps treat conditions such as Addison disease in which the body does not produce enough of its own cortisol.
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- A 36-year-old male patient who recently underwent abdominal radiation therapyGlucocorticoids helps with inflammation and acts like natural cortisol to support the damaged adrenal glands.
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- A 28-year-old pregnant female patient with hyperglycemia and hypercortisolismMifepristone (Korlym) is not appropriate for pregnant or sexually active female of childbearing age due to the risk of miscarriage.