Which manifestation would the nurse expect to find in a patient with Cushing disease?

Which manifestation would the nurse expect to find in a patient with Cushing disease?

• A. Moon Face
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Hypothermia
• D. Bradykinesia

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing the facial changes caused by excess cortisol in Cushing disease. When cortisol is elevated, fat and fluids redistribute in the body, often producing a round, full, puffy face described as a moon face. This is one of the classic, visible signs of hypercortisolism and helps distinguish Cushing syndrome from other conditions. Pathophysiologically, ACTH-driven cortisol excess leads to glucose intolerance, hypertension, proximal muscle weakness, and characteristic fat redistribution (central obesity, buffalo hump, facial rounding). The moon face is a direct reflection of facial fat deposition and fluid retention that clinicians commonly look for in suspected cases. The other options don’t fit the typical presentation. Tachycardia can occur in many conditions but isn’t a defining feature of Cushing disease’s facial or body changes. Hypothermia and bradykinesia are not characteristic of hypercortisolism and don’t describe the usual presentation either. So, describing a round, moon-like facial appearance aligns best with Cushing disease.

The main idea here is recognizing the facial changes caused by excess cortisol in Cushing disease. When cortisol is elevated, fat and fluids redistribute in the body, often producing a round, full, puffy face described as a moon face. This is one of the classic, visible signs of hypercortisolism and helps distinguish Cushing syndrome from other conditions.

Pathophysiologically, ACTH-driven cortisol excess leads to glucose intolerance, hypertension, proximal muscle weakness, and characteristic fat redistribution (central obesity, buffalo hump, facial rounding). The moon face is a direct reflection of facial fat deposition and fluid retention that clinicians commonly look for in suspected cases.

The other options don’t fit the typical presentation. Tachycardia can occur in many conditions but isn’t a defining feature of Cushing disease’s facial or body changes. Hypothermia and bradykinesia are not characteristic of hypercortisolism and don’t describe the usual presentation either.

So, describing a round, moon-like facial appearance aligns best with Cushing disease.