A nursing assessment of a patient with Cushing syndrome reveals that the patient has truncal obesity and thin and legs. An additional manifestation of Cushing syndrome that the nurse would expect to find is:
A.
decreased axillary and pubic hair.
B.
chronically low blood pressure,
C.
bronzed appearance of the skin.
D.
purplish red streaks on the abdomen.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D. purplish red streaks on the abdomen.
Explanation:
Cushing syndrome is characterized by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol. This condition can result from either endogenous production of cortisol due to conditions like Cushing’s disease or exogenous sources such as corticosteroid medications. A thorough nursing assessment of a patient with Cushing syndrome would reveal several specific signs and symptoms.
Truncal obesity (accumulation of fat in the upper body) and thin legs are classic features of Cushing syndrome due to cortisol’s effect on fat distribution and muscle breakdown. An additional manifestation of Cushing syndrome that nurses would expect to find is purplish red streaks on the abdomen. These streaks, known as striae or striae distensae, are a direct result of the skin stretching due to rapid weight gain or changes in body size. Cortisol affects the collagen and elastin in the skin, weakening its structure and leading to these distinctive streaks.
Here’s why the other options are not correct:
- Decreased axillary and pubic hair (A): Cushing syndrome typically does not cause decreased body hair; in fact, it can sometimes lead to hirsutism (excessive hair growth) due to increased androgen levels.
- Chronically low blood pressure (B): High cortisol levels usually result in hypertension (high blood pressure) rather than low blood pressure.
- Bronzed appearance of the skin (C): A bronzed or hyperpigmented appearance is more characteristic of Addison’s disease, where there is an adrenal insufficiency leading to increased ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and subsequent skin changes.
Thus, among the given options, purplish red streaks on the abdomen are a distinct and common manifestation of Cushing syndrome.