Cushing syndrome is characterized by excess cortisol secretion caused by too much ACTH from the pituitary gland or excess cortisol from adrenal tumors. It presents with weight gain, thin extremities, moon face, skin changes, and metabolic complications. Diagnosis involves urine and blood tests to measure cortisol levels. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, or medications to reduce cortisol levels. Nursing care focuses on preventing infections, injuries, skin breakdown and improving nutrition, fluid balance and body image.

1. CUSHING
SYNDROME

2. CUSHING SYNDROME
• It is characterized by excess cortisol secretion
resulting from too much ACTH by pituitary.
• More in women of 20- 40 yrs

3. Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s syndrome
 Hypersecretion of ACTH. (disease)
Hypersecretion of ACTH by the anterior
pituitary-causes increased release of both
cortisol and androgenic hormones
 Hypersecretion of Cortisol. (syndrome)
… too much cortisol secreted by the adrenal
cortex organ itself

4. Causes
 Prolonged use of corticosteroid medicines
 Excess production of corticosteroid by adrenal
cortex.- in adrenal tumor
 Pituitary tumor- excess ACTH
 Ectopic production of ACTH by malignancies.-
CUSHING DISEASES.

5. Cushing’s- clinical manifestations
serum glucose levels increased ….(gluconeogenesis)
eventually the islet cells of the pancreas cannot
produce enough insulin and DM results.
Loss of protein stores occurs, muscle wasting
Humoral immunity is reduced, decreasing the
threshold to infection.
Skin tissues lose collagen, and become very thin:
tearing and bruising easily.

6. • Wt. gain
• Thin arm and legs .
• Moon face –deposit of adipose tissue at these sites.
• Kyphosis- backpain, compression fracture of vertebra
• Visual disturbance

8.  Excess body and facial hair growth in women (from
excess androgen secretion)
 Mood swings and psychosis may occur as the effect
of excess cortisol on cognitive function.
 Truncal obesity: results from the mobilization of fat
in the lower parts of the body, to the trunk causing
the abdomen to become protuberant as the
extremities become thin and wasted.

9.  Purple striae: appear on the abdomen as a
result of the stretching of the abdominal skin.
They’re purple due to the collagen deficit in the
tissues.
 Round facial features: fat accumulation around
the neck and cervical area is termed the buffalo
hump.

11. DIAGNOSIS
A 24 hrs urine test – for Unbound cortisol
Dexamethazone test
Dexamethasone (1 mg) is administered orally at
11 pm, and a plasma cortisol level is obtained at 8 the
next morning.
Suppression of cortisol to less than 5 mg/dL indicates
that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is
functioning properly.

12. Management
 Radiation of the pituitary gland also has been successful,
although it may take several months for control of
symptoms.
 Adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice in patients
with primary adrenal hypertrophy.
 K supplement

13.  Adrenal enzyme inhibitors (eg, metyrapone,
aminoglutethimide, mitotane, ketoconazole)
may be used to reduce hyperadrenalism.
• if the syndrome is caused by ectopic ACTH
secretion by a tumor
• Surgical removal of pituitary gland .
• If due to steroid therapy – taper the dosage

14.  Nursing Diagnoses
• Risk for Infection R/T impaired immune response and tissue
repair
• Risk of Altered Health Maintenance R/T insufficient knowledge
of disease process
• Disturbed body image related to altered physical appearance,
impaired sexual functioning, and decreased activity level
• Risk for Fluid and Electrolyte imbalance

15. • DECREASING RISK FOR INJURY
• Establishing a protective environment will help to prevent
falls, fractures, and other injuries to bones and soft tissues.
• DECREASING RISK FOR INFECTION
• The nurse frequently assesses the patient for subtle signs of
infection because the anti-inflammatory effects of
corticosteroids may mask the common signs of
inflammation and infection. Therefore, insulin therapy and
medication to treat peptic ulcer may be initiated if needed.

16. • ENCORAGE REST AND ACTIVITY
• the nurse should encourage moderate activity to
prevent complications
• of immobility and promote increased self-esteem

17. • PROMOTING SKIN INTEGRITY
• The nurse frequently assesses the skin and bony
prominences and encourages and assists the
patient to change positions frequently to prevent
skin breakdown.

18. • IMPROVE BODY IMAGE
• Weight gain and edema may be modified by a
low-carbohydrate, low-sodium diet, and a high-
protein intake may reduce some of the other
bothersome symptoms.

19. PHEOCHROMACYTOMA

20. PHEOCHROMACYTOMA
• Pheochromacytoma is a catecholamine secreting
tumor of the cromaffin cells of the sympathetic
nervous system it is usually found in the adrenal
medulla.
• Peak at 40 – 50 yrs

22. • Pathophysiology
• The tumor secrete epinephrine and nor
epinephrine in excess amount – leads to life
threatening arrhythmia and hypertension.
• Increased gluconeogenesis.
• Relaxes the bowel.

23. Signs and symptoms
• Triad of symptoms are
• Headache
• Diaphoresis
• Palpitation
• Hypertesion causes face flushing.
• Tremor
• Anxiety
• Wt. loss
• Constipation – by catecholamines

25. Diagnostic tests
• Adrenal biopsy
• Catecholamines blood test
• Glucose test
• Scintiscan- biochemically confirmed cases with
MRI doesnot show growth.
• MRI of abdomen- to detect adrenal massess

26. • Urine catecholamines
• Test for metanephrine – metabolite formed
frombreakdown of catecholamines.

27. Management
• Treatment involves removing the tumor with
surgery.
• It is important to stabilize blood pressure and
pulse with medication before surgery.

28. • Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline), a long-acting
alpha-blocker, may be used when the blood pressure
is stable to prepare the patient for surgery.
• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as propranolol
(Inderal), may be used in patients with cardiac
dysrhythmias

29. • The definitive treatment is adrenalectomy.
Bilateral.
• adrenalectomy may be necessary if tumors are
present in both glands .
• IV administration of corticosteroid .

30. Nursing management
• The nurse instructs the patient about their
purpose, the medication schedule, and the risks
of skipping doses or stopping their administration
abruptly.
• Monitor for hypertensive crisis.
• IV lines .

31. • Blood specimen – cannula inserted 30 min
before sample collection. – stress causes
release of catecholamines.

32. THANK YOU