15th March 2024

A 54-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with dizziness, sweating, confusion, abdominal pain and nausea.

A 54-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with dizziness, sweating, confusion, abdominal pain and nausea. On examination, GCS 12, temp 37.1, HR 115, BP 90/80, RR 20, SpO2 94% on high flow oxygen. Her blood tests show: Na 125 (135–146 ), K 5.5 (3.5–5.3), glucose 4 (4-7) , Urea 10 (2.5–7.8) A recent serum cortisol was 9 ( 138 – 635). She has a known diagnosis of Addison’s disease. She is started on resuscitation fluids and awaiting specialist review.  

Prescribe the one drug that should be administered initially.