A client with a pituitary defect is being treated for Addison disease with supplemental corticosteroids.The client develops signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome.The nurse recognizes that this reaction is a result of the failure of normal:

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The development of Cushing syndrome in a client with Addison disease who is being treated with corticosteroids indicates that the feedback mechanism between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands has failed, causing an excess of corticosteroids in the body. In a normal functioning system, when the body has enough corticosteroids, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland will stop producing and secreting adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the production of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands. However, in a client with a pituitary defect, this feedback mechanism may not work properly, leading to excessive amounts of corticosteroids in the body and the development of Cushing syndrome.

A Client with a Pituitary Defect Is Being Treated for Addison