Addison crisis - A medical emergency that is rough on by sudden withdrawal of steroids or a stressful

event; causes vascular collapse, hypoglycemia, parenteral hydrocortisone is essential to reversing the
crisis; aldosterone replacement with fludrocortisones

Cushing syndrome - Excess adrenocorticoid activity; chronic administration of steroids; also caused by
adrenal pituitary or hypothalamus

Nursing assessment for cushing syndrome - Moon face; truncal obesity; buffalo hump; abdominal striae;
muscle atrophy; thinning of the skin; hirsutism in females; hyperpigmentation; amenorrhea; edema,
poor wound healing, easy bruising; hypertension; susceptibility to multiple infections, osteoporosis,
peptic ulcer formation, hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, decreased eosinophils and
lymphocytes, increased plasma cortisol, increased urinary 17 hydroxycorticoids

Nursing plan and interventions for cushing syndrome - Protect from infection exposure; wash hands;
monitor for signs of infection; teach safety measures; low sodium diet; foods that contain vitamin D and
calcium; good skin care; possibility of weaning from steroids; I&O, weigh daily, ulcer prophylaxis

Diabetes mellitus - Metabolic disorder in which there is an absence of or an insufficient production of

insulin; characterized by hyperglycemia; affect metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat, fasting
glucose level of greater than 126mg/dl

Type 1 - Insulin dependent diabetes

Type 2 - Non-insulin dependent diabetes; obesity is a major factor

Type 1 (IDDM) - Usually diagnosed under the age of 30 years; insuling production is absent; onset is
rapid; S&S polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, weight loss, weakness; weight is usually thin; ketosis is
common; no overwhelming predisposition in regard to genetics; pathogenesis is viral, autoimmune;
control is difficult with glycemia swings; meal planning and exercise is imperative; insulin is required by
all; long term complications are common