A 44-year-old woman arrives at the clinic complaining of tiredness, nausea, and weight loss during the past three to four months. She feels frequent dizziness while rising up and that her freckles are darkening. Blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg while you're sitting down and 95/65 mm Hg when you're standing up, and the temperature is 36.8 C (98.2 F). Your pulse is 77 beats per minute. The vermillion border of the lips has been seen to be hyperpigmented. The physical examination continues without incident. Idiopathic primary adrenal insufficiency is the result of a thorough diagnostic evaluation. Hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone are first administered to the patient. Fludrocortisone is most likely to cause which of the following effects in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Fludrocortisone increases the sensitivity of the vasculature to endogenous vasoconstrictors and decreases urine salt excretion, which improves hypovolemia and orthostatic hypotension in primary adrenal insufficiency (eg, norepinephrine).

A 44-Year-Old Woman Arrives at the Clinic Complaining of Tiredness