Final answer:
After an adrenalectomy, the nurse should closely monitor the client for hypotension, a complication associated with adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease due to lowered production of cortisol and aldosterone.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client undergoes an adrenalectomy, the removal of one or both adrenal glands can lead to a condition known as adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease. Due to the decrease in cortisol and aldosterone production, the body can experience different imbalances. Before steroid replacement therapy is fully regulated, the nurse should monitor the client for hypotension, which is a common complication associated with adrenal insufficiency.
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, occurs because cortisol and aldosterone play a significant role in maintaining blood pressure by managing electrolyte balance and retaining sodium and water. With a decrease in steroid hormones after an adrenalectomy, the loss of these regulatory effects can cause a drop in blood pressure.