Final answer:
In case of adrenal insufficiency, d. corticosteroid injection is the essential emergency medication to have at the bedside. This treatment helps in promptly restoring cortisol levels, which are crucial for maintaining blood pressure and managing metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with adrenal insufficiency, a condition characterized by insufficient production of adrenal hormones, it is critical to have the appropriate emergency medication on hand. Adrenal crises can provoke severe hypotension, electrolyte imbalances, and can be life-threatening.
The hormone cortisol is particularly important, as it plays a vital role in maintaining blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and managing the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. In emergency situations involving adrenal insufficiency, such as an adrenal crisis, a corticosteroid injection is typically required to quickly restore the much-needed cortisol levels in the body.
In the event of an adrenal crisis, intravenous fluids may also be administered to a patient to address dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. These fluids often include saline, which is isotonic with respect to body fluids. Additionally, glucagon and insulin are substances involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels, but they are not the primary treatment for adrenal insufficiency.
While glucagon increases blood glucose levels by triggering the liver to release glucose, insulin injections allow for the transport and storage of glucose to decrease blood glucose levels after consuming a high-glucose meal. Cortisone is a type of corticosteroid that, like cortisol, increases blood glucose levels and glycogen synthesis in the liver.
Given these facts, the correct option for what should be at the bedside in case adrenal insufficiency arises is d. Corticosteroid injection.