NBME 24 Answers ↦
sajaqua1
The combination of low blood pressure (from lack of mineralocorticoids) and low glucocorticoids (cortisol) indicate adrenal failure. Hyperpigmented skin is a sign of elevated ACTH, indicating that this is a failure of the adrenal gland and not the pituitary. In the industrialized western world, autoimmune destruction of adrenal glands is the leading cause of primary adrenal failure (disseminated tuberculoid destruction of the adrenal glands is significant outside of industrialized nations).
It also fits the time line better than Waterhouse-Friederichsen syndrome, which is sudden in onset and associated with hemorraging. Metastases to the adrenal glands *might* be a possibility, but autoimmune destruction is simply likelier.
+20 2019-06-09T21:59:00Z
mamorumyheart
Chronic Addisons disease.
Pretty straightforward here. Decreased gland function -> decreased Cortisol, decreased Aldosterone -> hypotension (with hyponatremic volume contraction)
Hyperpigmentation from increased ACTH (from POMC) making MSH.
(FA) Due to adrenal atrophy or destruction by disease (autoimmune destruction most common in the Western world; TB most common in the developing world).
+1 2020-01-27T00:23:06Z
ac3
I picked autoimmune adrenalitis but was tempted to pick Waterhouse syndrome because of the low BP (hemorrhaging). But I believe Waterhouse-Fried. syndrome is more likely associated with Neisseria infection
+ 2020-02-15T17:42:36Z
submitted by neonem(503), 2019-06-02T04:34:36Z
eTh tnaeitp hsa lwo ilosco,rt cihhw sueacs ydob gansti.w eTh itptnae is igdtpeynempehr cesni lwo stlcoior ieacrssen CHTA cioesetnr mrof eth rtypi,tuia ubt isth ehrsas a nomocm rurposrec rtepnio ithw eaumoinntysgmetl-alict mooerhn )(SM,H so attsh' tnefo a isgn of eterhi adnrale luifrae ro na TtrsgeHACecn-i .omutr tPu tghetero, hte ghhi ACTH utb low ltcrsioo hnppgaien vero a eroipd fo 6 ohsntm mnsea ttha het erlnada tusm eb nieggtt thi yb ehsitmngo -- lnoy tpioon rehe aws tumemionua lieadtsnai.r rudForites-eisheenWcrha sdomryen laos essacu rdenlaa iefyucsiinfnc utb tish enappsh euylt,ca ni eht teimerafm of -haodsry.us