Question

question 33 (mandatory) (2 points) a female patient who has been on glucocorticoids because of her rheumatoid arthritis decides to stop taking them because of the fluid retention and the round, moon face that they have produced. a few days later she is taken to the emergency room because she has lost consciousness. examination shows that she is severely hypotensive. what is the most likely cause of her signs and symptoms? ectopic adh production syndrome conn syndrome acute adrenal crisis addison disease

Explanation:

Long - term glucocorticoid use suppresses the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal (HPA) axis. Abrupt cessation can lead to a lack of endogenous cortisol production, resulting in acute adrenal crisis which presents with severe hypotension and can cause loss of consciousness. Ectopic ADH production syndrome is related to inappropriate ADH secretion and not related to glucocorticoid withdrawal. Conn Syndrome is due to primary hyperaldosteronism. Addison disease is a chronic adrenal insufficiency, not typically related to sudden glucocorticoid withdrawal in this context.

Answer:

C. Acute Adrenal crisis