During hot weather or illness, a client with Addison's disease should increase their intake of what?

During hot weather or illness, a client with Addison's disease should increase their intake of what?

• A. Salt
• B. Potassium
• C. Protein
• D. Sugar

Answer: (A)

In Addison's disease, low aldosterone leads to salt wasting and reduced extracellular fluid volume, so the body loses sodium and becomes prone to dehydration and low blood pressure. During hot weather or illness, sweating and GI losses increase sodium loss, making it important to raise salt intake to replace what’s being lost and help maintain circulating volume and blood pressure. Increasing salt directly addresses the electrolyte and fluid balance problem caused by the deficiency, which is why it’s the best choice. Potassium tends to be elevated because aldosterone promotes potassium excretion, so increasing potassium would worsen imbalance. Protein and sugar don’t specifically correct the salt-wasting or dehydration risk, though they provide energy; they don’t address the hormonal deficiency's effect on sodium and fluid balance.

In Addison's disease, low aldosterone leads to salt wasting and reduced extracellular fluid volume, so the body loses sodium and becomes prone to dehydration and low blood pressure. During hot weather or illness, sweating and GI losses increase sodium loss, making it important to raise salt intake to replace what’s being lost and help maintain circulating volume and blood pressure. Increasing salt directly addresses the electrolyte and fluid balance problem caused by the deficiency, which is why it’s the best choice. Potassium tends to be elevated because aldosterone promotes potassium excretion, so increasing potassium would worsen imbalance. Protein and sugar don’t specifically correct the salt-wasting or dehydration risk, though they provide energy; they don’t address the hormonal deficiency's effect on sodium and fluid balance.