A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse anticipate from the provider?

Choice A rationale Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat and prevent seizures. Adrenal insufficiency is a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, primarily cortisol and aldosterone. Phenytoin has no therapeutic effect on hormone replacement and would not address the underlying cause or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Choice B rationale Calcitonin is a hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, primarily by decreasing serum calcium. Adrenal insufficiency is not a disorder of calcium metabolism. The primary treatment involves replacing the missing adrenal hormones, not altering calcium levels. Therefore, calcitonin is not indicated for this condition. Choice C rationale Buspirone is an anxiolytic medication used to treat anxiety disorders. While clients with adrenal insufficiency may experience anxiety as a symptom of their hormonal imbalance, buspirone does not correct the underlying pathology, which is the lack of cortisol and aldosterone. The primary and most crucial treatment is hormone replacement therapy. Choice D rationale Fludrocortisone is a synthetic corticosteroid that has potent mineralocorticoid properties, similar to aldosterone. In adrenal insufficiency, the body fails to produce sufficient aldosterone, which is responsible for regulating sodium and potassium balance. Fludrocortisone directly replaces this missing hormone, helping to restore fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, which is critical for managing this condition.