Which nursing measure is effective in preventing complications for a client with Addison's disease?

Which nursing measure is effective in preventing complications for a client with Addison's disease?

• A. Restricting fluid intake
• B. Monitoring the blood glucose
• C. Offering foods high in potassium
• D. Checking family support systems

Answer: (B)

Addison's disease involves cortisol deficiency, which reduces gluconeogenesis and the body's ability to maintain blood glucose during stress. This makes hypoglycemia a common and potentially serious complication. Regularly monitoring blood glucose allows early detection of low readings and enables prompt intervention, such as providing carbohydrates or adjusting steroid therapy as ordered, to prevent seizures, confusion, or other hypoglycemia-related problems. Other measures listed don’t address this key metabolic risk. Restricting fluids would worsen dehydration and hypotension; foods high in potassium could worsen hyperkalemia from aldosterone deficiency; checking family support systems, while important for overall care, does not prevent physiologic complications.

Addison's disease involves cortisol deficiency, which reduces gluconeogenesis and the body's ability to maintain blood glucose during stress. This makes hypoglycemia a common and potentially serious complication. Regularly monitoring blood glucose allows early detection of low readings and enables prompt intervention, such as providing carbohydrates or adjusting steroid therapy as ordered, to prevent seizures, confusion, or other hypoglycemia-related problems.

Other measures listed don’t address this key metabolic risk. Restricting fluids would worsen dehydration and hypotension; foods high in potassium could worsen hyperkalemia from aldosterone deficiency; checking family support systems, while important for overall care, does not prevent physiologic complications.