Endocrine

Disorders
ADDISON VS. CUSHING DISEASE

Addison Cushing
ETIOLOGY ETIOLOGY
Auto-immune, damage Adrenal tumor, disease of
to hypothalmaus, anterior pituitary, disease
damage to pituitary. of hypothalamus, steroid
use.

RESULT RESULT
Low cortisol, low High cortisol, high
aldosterone, low aldosterone, high
androgens. androgens.

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS SIGNS/ SYMPTOMS

Muscle weakness,
Weakness, fatigue,
irritability, truncal obesity,
hyponatremia,
buffalo hump, moon face,
hyperkalemia, hypotension,
hypertension, edema,
hypoglycemia.
hypernatremia,
hypokalemia. 
DIAGNOSIS DIAGNOSIS
ACTH stimulation test- Dexamethasone suppression
helps differentiate test- to differentiate between
between primary and adrenal or pituitary tumor.
secondary Addison.
NURSING CARE NURSING CARE
1. A-B-C (patient could have 1. A-B-C (mental status,
decreased LOC, hypertension)
hypotension). 2. Monitor blood glucose
2. Monitor blood glucose 3. Daily weights, Is and Os
3. IV fluids 4. Monitor for DVT
4. Administer steroids 5. Prevent infection
www.thedrnurse.com