A client with adrenal insufficiency stopped taking corticost… | MyMerci
Medical EmergenciesPA
Question
A client with adrenal insufficiency stopped taking corticosteroids and now has vomiting, severe weakness, and blood pressure 78/42 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse anticipate first?
1Administer IV hydrocortisone and isotonic fluids as prescribed.✓ Correct answer
2Restrict fluids to prevent edema.
3Give a potassium supplement.
4Schedule routine outpatient follow-up.
Explanation
Vomiting, weakness, and severe hypotension in adrenal insufficiency indicate adrenal crisis. Treatment priorities include glucocorticoid replacement and isotonic fluid resuscitation. Fluid restriction, potassium replacement, or delayed follow-up can worsen shock and electrolyte instability.
In-depth explanation
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Adrenal crisis after stopping steroids.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical scenario
Clinical Practice Guide For Adrenal crisis after stopping steroids, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
Caution Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.