Lecturio Nursing

>

>

Addisonian Crisis

Nursing Knowledge

Addisonian Crisis

Addisonian crisis is a rare but life-threatening endocrine emergency that can occur in patients with adrenal insufficiency. It is characterized by a sudden onset of severe symptoms, including hypotension, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis. Nurses play a crucial role in recognizing and managing this condition, as early diagnosis and treatment can be life-saving.

Last updated: December 15, 2025

What is an Addisonian crisis?

Addisonian crisis is an endocrine emergency triggered by an acute episode of adrenal insufficiency.

Common causes of adrenal crisis

Common causes of adrenal crisis include:

Progression of undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency
Known adrenal insufficiency complicated by a stressful event and failure to adjust chronic steroid dose
Sudden discontinuation of long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy
Chronic infection, such as tuberculosis, leading to infectious adrenalitis

Addisonian crisis symptoms

Nursing tip: Maintain suspicion for adrenal crisis in any client presenting in a critically ill state with signs of shock.

Symptoms of Addisonian crisis can include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, confusion, and potentially loss of consciousness.

Nursing tips regarding Addisonian crisis

Collect a thorough history, including history of Addison’s disease and chronic steroid therapy, recent illness, injury, or stressor, family or personal history of autoimmune conditions.
Efficiently facilitate diagnostic lab work, blood cultures, ECG, and imaging as ordered.
Definitive diagnosis is not always possible in the moment of acute adrenal crisis. If suspected, treatment should not be delayed.

Addisonian crisis lab values

In Addisonian crisis, lab tests often show:

Low serum sodium (hyponatremia)
High serum potassium (hyperkalemia)
Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
High serum cortisol levels following an ACTH stimulation test will rule out Addison’s crisis, while low levels confirm it.

Addisonian crisis treatment

Treatment measures include:

Fluid resuscitation normal saline of 5% dextrose in NS, in the setting of hypoglycemia
IV glucocorticoid replacement

If caused by adrenal insufficiency symptoms should resolve quickly with fluid replacement and IV steroid administration.

Related videos

Addisonian Crisis: Symptoms and Treatment

Addisonian Crisis – NCLEX Review

RELATED TOPIC:

Addison’s Disease: Nursing Diagnosis

FREE CHEAT SHEET

Addisonian Crisis

Free Download

Nursing Cheat Sheet

Overview of acute adrenal insufficiency; pathophysiology, common causes, nursing considerations and treatment

Master the topic with a unique study combination of a concise summary paired with video lectures.

© 2025 Lecturio GmbH. All rights reserved.

USMLE™ is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB®) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME®). MCAT is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). NCLEX®, NCLEX-RN®, and NCLEX-PN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc (NCSBN®). None of the trademark holders are endorsed by nor affiliated with Lecturio.