A client with Cushing's disease says that she has lost 1 pound. What does the nurse do next?

A client with Cushing's disease says that she has lost 1 pound. What does the nurse do next?

• A. Auscultates the lungs for crackles.
• B. Checks urine for specific gravity.
• C. Forces fluids.
• D. Weighs the client.

Answer: (D)

Tracking fluid and nutritional status through regular weighing is essential in Cushing's disease because cortisol excess can cause fluid shifts and muscle wasting. When a client reports weight loss, the nurse should obtain an objective weight to confirm the change and establish a trend, providing a clear data point to compare with prior weights and to guide care. Weighing gives a precise, reproducible measure of how the patient’s status is evolving, which is more informative than a single snapshot of hydration or a vague report. Auscultating lungs for crackles might be considered if edema is suspected, but it doesn’t quantify a recent change or establish a trend. Forcing fluids could destabilize electrolyte balance or edema. Checking urine specific gravity offers a hydration snapshot but doesn’t show how the weight is changing over time.

Tracking fluid and nutritional status through regular weighing is essential in Cushing's disease because cortisol excess can cause fluid shifts and muscle wasting. When a client reports weight loss, the nurse should obtain an objective weight to confirm the change and establish a trend, providing a clear data point to compare with prior weights and to guide care. Weighing gives a precise, reproducible measure of how the patient’s status is evolving, which is more informative than a single snapshot of hydration or a vague report.

Auscultating lungs for crackles might be considered if edema is suspected, but it doesn’t quantify a recent change or establish a trend. Forcing fluids could destabilize electrolyte balance or edema. Checking urine specific gravity offers a hydration snapshot but doesn’t show how the weight is changing over time.