A patient has been admitted with multiple trauma due to a motor vehicle accident several weeks ago.Given the prolonged critical illness,the nurse knows the patient may no longer secrete adequate amounts of what hormone?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cortisol is secreted in response to physiologic stress as a result of infection,trauma,and hypoglycemia.Early in critical illness,a rise in cortisol levels can be documented.However,over time the adrenal gland may not be able to secrete adequate amounts of stress hormones,especially when critical illness is prolonged.Aldosterone is secreted in response to intravascular hypovolemia.

A Patient Has Been Admitted with Multiple Trauma Due to a Motor