Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a child who has Addison's disease. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Teach the parents about cortisol replacement therapy. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol. Cortisol replacement therapy is crucial to manage the condition. By educating the parents about this therapy, they can understand the importance of adherence and monitoring for signs of over or under-replacement.
A: Placing the child on a low-sodium diet is not directly related to managing Addison's disease.
B: Monitoring for fluid volume excess is more relevant in conditions like Cushing's syndrome, not Addison's disease.
C: Hyperglycemia is not a primary manifestation of Addison's disease, so discussing it with the parents is not the priority.
In summary, the correct answer addresses the primary treatment for Addison's disease, while the other options are not directly related to managing this condition.
A: Placing the child on a low-sodium diet is not directly related to managing Addison's disease.
B: Monitoring for fluid volume excess is more relevant in conditions like Cushing's syndrome, not Addison's disease.
C: Hyperglycemia is not a primary manifestation of Addison's disease, so discussing it with the parents is not the priority.
In summary, the correct answer addresses the primary treatment for Addison's disease, while the other options are not directly related to managing this condition.