What is the term for acute life-threatening adrenal insufficiency?

What is the term for acute life-threatening adrenal insufficiency?

• A. Addison disease
• B. Adrenal crisis
• C. Pheochromocytoma
• D. Cushing syndrome

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is recognizing acute life-threatening adrenal insufficiency, known as an adrenal crisis. Addison disease describes chronic adrenal failure, usually gradual and long-standing, whereas an adrenal crisis is the rapid deterioration that can cause shock if not treated promptly. An adrenal crisis occurs when cortisol (and often aldosterone) deficiency leads to poor vascular tone, low blood pressure, and problems with glucose and electrolyte balance. Patients may present with severe weakness, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, hypotension, confusion, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and sometimes hypoglycemia. It is often precipitated by stress such as infection, surgery, trauma, or sudden withdrawal of chronic steroids. In the emergency setting, suspecting an adrenal crisis prompts immediate treatment: give aggressive IV fluids to support circulation and administer glucocorticoids (for example, hydrocortisone 100 mg IV, then 50–100 mg every 6–8 hours or a continuous infusion), along with electrolyte and glucose management and addressing the underlying trigger. This rapid, targeted approach is what makes this condition distinct from the chronic form of adrenal insufficiency and from other endocrine disorders like pheochromocytoma or Cushing syndrome.

The main idea being tested is recognizing acute life-threatening adrenal insufficiency, known as an adrenal crisis. Addison disease describes chronic adrenal failure, usually gradual and long-standing, whereas an adrenal crisis is the rapid deterioration that can cause shock if not treated promptly.

An adrenal crisis occurs when cortisol (and often aldosterone) deficiency leads to poor vascular tone, low blood pressure, and problems with glucose and electrolyte balance. Patients may present with severe weakness, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, hypotension, confusion, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and sometimes hypoglycemia. It is often precipitated by stress such as infection, surgery, trauma, or sudden withdrawal of chronic steroids.

In the emergency setting, suspecting an adrenal crisis prompts immediate treatment: give aggressive IV fluids to support circulation and administer glucocorticoids (for example, hydrocortisone 100 mg IV, then 50–100 mg every 6–8 hours or a continuous infusion), along with electrolyte and glucose management and addressing the underlying trigger. This rapid, targeted approach is what makes this condition distinct from the chronic form of adrenal insufficiency and from other endocrine disorders like pheochromocytoma or Cushing syndrome.