Important nursing interventions when caring for a patient with Cushing syndrome include:

Choice A reason: Quad coughing is a technique used to help patients with spinal cord injuries improve their coughing ability, but it does not directly prevent autonomic dysreflexia. While it is beneficial for respiratory health, it is not the primary intervention for preventing autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice B reason: Assisting to plan a prescribed bowel program is crucial in preventing autonomic dysreflexia. Bowel impaction is a common trigger for autonomic dysreflexia, and a regular bowel program helps to prevent constipation and ensure regular bowel movements, reducing the risk of this complication.
Choice C reason: Supporting the selection of a high-protein diet is important for overall health and nutrition, but it does not directly prevent autonomic dysreflexia. While proper nutrition is essential for patients with spinal cord injuries, it is not the primary intervention for preventing autonomic dysreflexia.

Choice A reason:
Increasing serum potassium levels would not indicate effective therapy for a patient with Addison's disease. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not produce enough aldosterone, which is responsible for regulating sodium and potassium balance. As a result, patients with Addison’s disease often experience hyperkalemia (high potassium levels). Effective therapy typically aims to normalize potassium levels, so an increase would suggest inadequate treatment or worsening of the condition.
Choice B reason:
Decreasing blood glucose levels would not typically be seen as a positive indicator in a patient with Addison's disease. The body’s ability to maintain normal blood glucose levels is compromised in Addison’s disease due to a deficiency in cortisol. Cortisol plays a key role in regulating glucose metabolism, and its deficiency can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels). If blood glucose levels are decreasing, it may indicate inadequate glucocorticoid replacement therapy, suggesting the therapy is not fully effective.
Choice C reason:
Decreasing serum chloride levels would not be expected in a patient with Addison’s disease who is receiving proper treatment. Chloride is regulated alongside sodium and is influenced by aldosterone. In Addison's disease, aldosterone deficiency leads to a decreased ability to retain sodium, which in turn can affect chloride levels. However, a decrease in chloride levels alone is not a clear sign of effective therapy. Normalization of serum sodium levels is a better indicator of treatment success.
Choice D reason:
Increasing serum sodium levels is the correct finding that indicates effective therapy in a patient with Addison’s disease. In this condition, aldosterone deficiency results in sodium loss through the kidneys, leading to hyponatremia (low sodium levels). Effective therapy, which typically involves the administration of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids (such as fludrocortisone), helps to correct this imbalance by increasing sodium retention and normalizing serum sodium levels. This would demonstrate that the current therapies are working to restore the electrolyte balance.