In a client with Cushing's syndrome experiencing fluid overload, which sign is most directly indicative?

In a client with Cushing's syndrome experiencing fluid overload, which sign is most directly indicative?

• A. Edema in Extremities
• B. Polyuria
• C. Hypotension
• D. Hypokalemia

Answer: (A)

In Cushing's syndrome, excess cortisol acts like a mineralocorticoid, promoting sodium and water retention and expanding the extracellular fluid volume. The sign that most directly reflects this fluid overload is edema in the extremities, because visible swelling directly results from the increased fluid in the tissues. Other options—polyuria can occur with metabolic disturbances but isn’t a direct marker of fluid overload; hypotension would suggest reduced intravascular volume; hypokalemia reflects potassium loss from mineralocorticoid activity but doesn’t indicate the fluid status as clearly as edema does.

In Cushing's syndrome, excess cortisol acts like a mineralocorticoid, promoting sodium and water retention and expanding the extracellular fluid volume. The sign that most directly reflects this fluid overload is edema in the extremities, because visible swelling directly results from the increased fluid in the tissues. Other options—polyuria can occur with metabolic disturbances but isn’t a direct marker of fluid overload; hypotension would suggest reduced intravascular volume; hypokalemia reflects potassium loss from mineralocorticoid activity but doesn’t indicate the fluid status as clearly as edema does.