Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Test

In an Addison's disease crisis, the body experiences an acute adrenal insufficiency, leading to significant imbalances in electrolytes, primarily sodium and potassium. Sodium is commonly treated in this situation because patients with Addison's disease typically present with hyponatremia (low sodium levels) due to the adrenal glands' inability to produce sufficient levels of aldosterone, which plays a crucial role in sodium retention and potassium excretion.

During an Addisonian crisis, patients may also experience symptoms like severe hypotension, dehydration, and shock, all of which can be exacerbated by low sodium levels. Therefore, administering sodium through IV fluids, such as normal saline, is essential to stabilize the patient. Restoring sodium levels helps improve blood volume and blood pressure, alleviating some of the acute symptoms associated with the crisis.

Other electrolytes, while they may be monitored during treatment, are not the primary focus in an Addison's crisis, which specifically prioritizes stabilizing sodium levels to prevent complications and support overall homeostasis.