Solu-cortef

Published

Tell me all you know about Solu-Cortef and adrenal insufficiency. We have a freshman that had a brain rumor removed around 5 weeks ago. He just came back from home bound today. Apparently his dx is Panhypopituitarism? Basing that on a flyer the parents gave me. I tried to call the dr office to ask questions but no one returned my call. The dr order says 'administer once for emergency situation, emesis >1, or unconscious. Then call 911 and take to ED' (which is 45-50 minutes away)... I know nothing about this guys! What can you tell me?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

The injection is just to get the hydrocortisone on board as soon as possible to counteract the loss over the stress of whatever event may be going on. I'd sure ask for a clarification as to what is an emergency situation; transporting to the ER...2 episodes of vomiting to unconsciousness is a pretty wide range.

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Specializes in Pedi.

If the child has adrenal insufficiency, he will need "stress dose steroids" in times of illness because his body doesn't produce the cortisol we naturally produce during stress.

https://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/mngadrins.pdf

Usually you would start with oral steroids (the Endocrinologists I worked with when I worked in Pedi Neuro-Onc typically prescribed hydrocortisone q 6hr) but IM is needed in the event of an emergency. The Endocrinologist should provide very strict guidelines for this.

If he's panhypopit, he probably has diabetes insipidus, central hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency too.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

I have one I give in case of severe injury like a broken bone, fever, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea. He also takes cortisone pills several times a day (once st school).

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

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Thanks

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Specializes in kids.

I would get a release from the MD and ask very specifically what the indicators are for the injectable. My student can take PO for more minor stuff.

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Thanks

Obviously I know how privacy and the internet works. What I don't know is how Facebook/allnurses works together. My question is, do you all share random threads on the Facebook page? That's how I thought it worked? And, if it is, then I would rather my threads not be shared. Thanks for any clarification.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I tried to call the dr's office again with no luck. The student was absent today..I think they're trying to extend his home bound.

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