Clinical CPD topic
Adrenal insufficiency: practise, reflect and record
Practise adrenal insufficiency through five clinical cases, review the explanations and build a professional learning record. Select initial biochemical investigation for suspected adrenal insufficiency in a stable patient.
First published · Sources checked
What you’ll work on
- Select initial biochemical investigation for suspected adrenal insufficiency in a stable patient.
- Distinguish oral sick-day glucocorticoid escalation from immediate adrenal-crisis treatment.
- Select chronic replacement and identify when to restart fludrocortisone during hydrocortisone tapering after crisis.
Think through a clinical case
Decide how you would approach this case before opening the question session.
A 42-year-old has fatigue, weight loss, postural dizziness and increasing skin pigmentation. Sodium is 128 mmol/L, potassium 5.8 mmol/L and glucose 3.4 mmol/L. She is haemodynamically stable. Which investigation should be obtained promptly when primary adrenal insufficiency is suspected?
A case from the UKMLA question bank. The session provides the answer and explanation after your attempt.
From a decision to a learning record
- Test your reasoning. Answer five questions from this topic’s clinical-content library.
- Explore the gaps. Review explanations and use Tutor to work through decisions that need more thought.
- Reflect on application. Describe what you learned and what you would change or investigate.
- Review your evidence. Confirm the activity and time spent, then retain or export your professional record.
Primary sources and further reading
Read the source in the same jurisdiction as your question session.
- Recommendations | Adrenal insufficiency: identification and management | Guidance | NICEUK source
- Society for Endocrinology adrenal crisis emergency guidance2016UK source
- Hydrocortisone Solution for Injection — UK SmPCUK source