A client receives cosyntropin (Cortrosyn).The nurse knows that if plasma cortisol levels fail to rise after an injection of cosyntropin,the pathology is:

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Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn) is a synthetic form of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) used in the ACTH stimulation test to assess adrenal function. If plasma cortisol levels do not rise after an injection of cosyntropin, it indicates a problem at the level of the adrenal gland itself, which is primary adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison's disease). This is because cosyntropin directly stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol, and a lack of response suggests the adrenal gland is not functioning properly.

A Client Receives Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn)