In adrenal crisis, which metabolic abnormality is commonly observed?

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Multiple Choice

In adrenal crisis, which metabolic abnormality is commonly observed?

The situation tests how cortisol helps regulate blood sugar during stress. In an adrenal crisis, there isn’t enough cortisol to drive the liver to produce glucose through gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. As a result, blood glucose falls, especially in kids or during illness or fasting, leading to hypoglycemia. While electrolyte disturbances like hyponatremia and hyperkalemia can occur due to aldosterone deficiency, the metabolic abnormality most commonly observed is low blood sugar. Hyperglycemia, and the other options listed, are not typical features of an acute adrenal crisis.

The situation tests how cortisol helps regulate blood sugar during stress. In an adrenal crisis, there isn’t enough cortisol to drive the liver to produce glucose through gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. As a result, blood glucose falls, especially in kids or during illness or fasting, leading to hypoglycemia. While electrolyte disturbances like hyponatremia and hyperkalemia can occur due to aldosterone deficiency, the metabolic abnormality most commonly observed is low blood sugar. Hyperglycemia, and the other options listed, are not typical features of an acute adrenal crisis.

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