Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease)

Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease) (Endocrine) links glucose regulation, thyroid and adrenal axes, pituitary disorders, and fluid–electrolyte balance to nursing judgment: recognize hypoglycemia and hyperglycemic emergencies, thyroid storm and myxedema coma, adrenal crisis, severe sodium disorders from SIADH/DI, calcium emergencies, and medication errors involving insulin, steroids, and thyroid drugs—and escalate when perfusion, airway, or mentation is threatened. Canadian items may use SI labs (mmol/L for glucose where shown) and provincial diabetes program wording; prioritization logic matches NCLEX-RN. Pathway context (RN, Canada). This lesson supports NCLEX-RN preparation with Canada-friendly framing. Continue with related lessons from the pathway lesson hub. Learning objectives - Integrate glucose trends, ketones, insulin timing, potassium and sodium trends, vitals, neuro status, and weight/I&O to identify endocrine emergencies and complications. - Select nursing interventions and teaching aligned with orders, scope, endocrinology and pharmacy plans, and facility policy. - Communicate early when findings suggest symptomatic hypoglycemia, DKA/HHS, thyroid storm, myxedema coma, addisonian crisis, severe hypernatremia or hyponatremia, or pheochromocytoma hypertensive crisis. Primary vs secondary (quick exam frame). Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease) destroys the adrenal cortex → low cortisol and...