CEA Nursing Practice Exam

Which sign might you expect to find in a patient with Addison's disease?

1. Abdominal striae

2. Dowager hump

3. Low body temperature

4. Moon face

The correct answer is: Abdominal striae

In a patient with Addison's disease, abdominal striae can be a sign of the condition due to the changes in hormone levels, particularly cortisol. Addison's disease is characterized by insufficient production of adrenal hormones, leading to various metabolic changes. The skin may become more pigmented or show signs like striae because the body's stress response is altered. Abdominal striae may develop especially if the patient has experienced changes in weight or fluid balance, which can occur in Addison's due to the adrenal imbalance. Also, because Addison's disease leads to an increase in melanin due to elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, the skin may darken, complementing the appearance of striae. The other signs listed are not associated with Addison's disease. A Dowager hump, often related to osteoporosis, is more concerned with spinal issues than adrenal function. Low body temperature can occur in a variety of conditions but is not a characteristic feature of Addison's disease. Moon face is associated with Cushing's syndrome, another adrenal disorder but distinctly different from Addison's disease.