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Source Institute | Endocrine System

Chapter 9: Adrenal Disorders, Corticosteroids, and Endocrine Emergencies

This chapter applies adrenal anatomy and physiology to adrenal insufficiency, adrenal crisis, glucocorticoid excess, primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, corticosteroid medication effects, surgical care, emergency recognition, and safe massage therapy decision-making.

Course: Endocrine SystemChapter: 9 of 20Four instructional units + knowledge checks + quizSigned in: Not signed inActive Time: 00:00:00

Chapter Focus

This chapter examines adrenal disorders, corticosteroids, and endocrine emergencies through endocrine anatomy and physiology, pathology and medical management, massage-therapy safety, client assessment, clinical reasoning, body-system integration, and MBLEx preparation.

Mini Outline

  1. Adrenal Insufficiency, Addison Disease, and Adrenal Crisis.
  2. Cushing Syndrome and Glucocorticoid Excess.
  3. Primary Aldosteronism and Pheochromocytoma.
  4. Corticosteroids, Procedures, Contraindications, and Clinical Reasoning.

Learning Objectives

Differentiate primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency and explain why adrenal crisis is a medical emergency.
Explain the systemic effects of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoid excess, including skin, muscle, bone, immune, metabolic, and cardiovascular changes.
Recognize the major features of primary aldosteronism and pheochromocytoma and relate testing and treatment to massage precautions.
Describe how long-term corticosteroid therapy suppresses the HPA axis and why medication tapering is outside massage therapy scope.
Use intake, observation, positioning, pressure modification, and referral reasoning for stable and unstable adrenal presentations.
Integrate adrenal disorders with cardiovascular, renal, immune, metabolic, nervous, integumentary, and musculoskeletal systems for MBLEx preparation.

Chapter Summary

Adrenal insufficiency can involve cortisol deficiency alone or combined cortisol and aldosterone deficiency. Acute decompensation can produce adrenal crisis, a medical emergency marked by severe weakness, vomiting, hypotension, dehydration, confusion, or collapse.

Glucocorticoid excess affects skin, muscle, bone, immunity, glucose, blood pressure, mood, and healing. Primary aldosteronism and pheochromocytoma create additional cardiovascular and electrolyte risks. Massage decisions must reflect stability, medication effects, tissue fragility, positioning tolerance, and emergency warning signs.

Key Takeaways

  • Adrenal crisis requires emergency action, not massage.
  • Long-term glucocorticoids can suppress the HPA axis; tapering is medical management.
  • Glucocorticoid excess may cause bruising, thin skin, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, and infection risk.
  • Pheochromocytoma can cause episodic headache, palpitations, sweating, and severe hypertension.
  • Massage therapists modify for stability and tissue tolerance but do not diagnose or change medications.

Chapter Glossary

Hover over a term, or tap it on a phone, to review its definition.

  • Adrenal Insufficiency
  • Adrenal Crisis
  • Cushing Syndrome
  • Primary Aldosteronism
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Orthostatic Hypotension
  • HPA Suppression
  • Metanephrines

Vocabulary Matching Practice

Locked: Complete all four units and all three knowledge checks first.

Complete this practice before the chapter quiz unlocks.

Select a term, then select the matching definition.

Terms

Definitions

Chapter 9 Quiz