A 52-year-old man on ICU has developed critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). He is started on IV hydrocortisone 200 mg/day (5...

Question

A 52-year-old man on ICU has developed critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). He is started on IV hydrocortisone 200 mg/day (50 mg QDS). What additional monitoring is needed when hydrocortisone is administered for CIRCI in septic shock?

Accepted Answer

Monitor for hyperglycaemia (hydrocortisone causes insulin resistance), secondary infections (immunosuppressive effect), and hypernatraemia (mineralocorticoid effect causing sodium retention); blood glucose should be monitored 4-6 hourly initially and insulin therapy adjusted

Answer

No additional monitoring is needed

Answer

Monitor renal function only

Answer

Monitor liver function only

Answer

Monitor only for allergic reactions

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Hydrocortisone Monitoring

A 52-year-old man on ICU has developed critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). He is started on IV hydrocortisone 200 mg/day (50 mg QDS). What additional monitoring is needed when hydrocortisone is administered for CIRCI in septic shock?