AACN clinical issues in critical care nursing
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AACN Clin Issues Crit Care Nurs · Aug 1992
Adrenocortical insufficiency in the critically ill patient.
The fluid and electrolyte imbalances associated with adrenocortical failure affect multiple physiologic systems in the critically ill patient. Because of its widespread effect, the objective signs of adrenocortical failure may escape recognition. ⋯ When effective patient assessment and management are standard components of care, adrenocortical dysfunction may be reversed, while failure to assess for signs of adrenal insufficiency may lead to irreversible patient outcomes. This paper describes phenomena of adrenocortical failure in critically ill patients and presents the problems of fluid and electrolyte imbalance that accompany them.