The nurse is reviewing the medical history of a patient with adrenal insufficiency and correlates which findings to causes of primary adrenal insufficiency? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Primary adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison's disease, occurs when the adrenal glands themselves are damaged and cannot produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Causes include autoimmune disorders (E), where the body's immune system attacks the adrenal glands; infections (C), such as tuberculosis, that can damage the adrenal glands; cancer (A), which can spread to and destroy adrenal tissue; and trauma (B) to the adrenal glands. A tumor of the anterior pituitary gland (D) would be related to secondary adrenal insufficiency, not primary, because it affects the pituitary's ability to produce ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal glands.

The Nurse Is Reviewing the Medical History of a Patient