The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who underwent a bilateral adrenalectomy. Which of the following should the nurse include?
Explanation
• After a bilateral adrenalectomy, the patient cannot secrete stress hormones to maintain homeostasis during stressful situations. The patient should be instructed to avoid physical and emotional stressors.
• Although antihypertensive medication is not indicated due to the lack of catecholamine secretion, patients with a bilateral adrenalectomy will still require lifelong low doses of steroids.
• A Medic-Alert band is required.