Endocrinology & Diabetes — Flashcards

Flashcard 381: What complication of adrenal insufficiency can cause hypotension, shock, severe abdominal pain and decreased consciousness? _____

Answer: Addisonian crisis

Flashcard 382: Stress in patients with adrenal insufficiency can cause _____

Answer: addisonian crises

Flashcard 383: _____ adrenal insufficiency is called Addison's disease

Answer: Primary

Flashcard 384: Patients with secondary/tertiary adrenal insufficiency _____ experience an increase in serum cortisol 30 minutes after being given 250ug Synacthen IM.

Answer: will not

Extra: In secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency, the lack of chronic ACTH stimulation leads to adrenal cortical atrophy. Consequently, the glands cannot respond acutely to exogenous ACTH (Synacthen). Note: In very early/acute secondary AI (e.g., within days of a pituitary insult), the adrenals might still respond, but for exam purposes, they are expected to fail the stim test.

Flashcard 385: What is the 1st line investigation for suspected adrenal insufficiency in primary care? _____

Answer: 9am serum cortisol

Flashcard 386: _____ is a complication of bacterial septicemia characterised by haemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands

Answer: Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Flashcard 387: _____ is an ACTH analogue that stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol

Answer: Synacthen

Flashcard 388: Hydrocortisone is a _____corticoid

Answer: gluco

Flashcard 389: Loss of libido and body hair in Addison's disease are features of _____

Answer: hypoandrogenism

Flashcard 390: Addison's disease _____ rules should be implemented during periods of physical stress such as surgery, trauma, acute illness

Answer: sick day