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Adrenal crisis — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardMedical EmergenciesAdrenal crisisDIPIMCDipIMC

A patient with known Addison's disease has an intercurrent illness with vomiting. He is hypotensive and drowsy, and the capillary glucose is low.

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Correct answer: B — Give parenteral hydrocortisone and intravenous fluids.

An adrenal crisis in a patient with known adrenal insufficiency is treated with parenteral hydrocortisone and fluid resuscitation, with glucose correction as needed, and treatment is not delayed for a confirmatory cortisol level. This is one setting where steroids are genuinely lifesaving, in contrast to their reduced role in anaphylaxis. Adrenaline and insulin do not address the cortisol deficiency.

Reference: JRCALC Clinical Guidelines