Final answer:
The correct expected finding in a patient with Cushing's disease is muscle atrophy (A). This is due to the effects of excessive cortisol, which can also cause symptoms like obesity, bone pain, and skin changes, and weight gain. Treatment focuses on reducing the levels of cortisol.
Step-by-step explanation:
In assessing a patient with Cushing's disease, a nurse would expect to find certain clinical features associated with this endocrine disorder. Among the possible findings, muscle atrophy stands out as a characteristic symptom, along with others like obesity, the fat accumulation between the shoulders (buffalo hump), and weak muscles caused by the effect of cortisol on protein metabolism. In addition, patients may experience bone pain, fatigue, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), capillary dilation, and skin changes such as thinning that leads to easy bruising. Contrary to some of the symptoms you might find with other conditions, Cushing's disease is associated with hypertension rather than hypotension, and weight gain rather than weight loss, due to the increased cortisol levels.
Accordingly, the option A. Muscle atrophy is the correct finding that a nurse should expect in a patient with Cushing's disease. The treatments for this condition aim to reduce the excessive levels of cortisol through various methods, which may include discontinuation of exogenous corticosteroids, surgical removal of tumors, radiation therapy, or medications to regulate cortisol production.