If a client with suspected adrenal insufficiency receives cosyntropin and cortisol levels are elevated after 30 minutes, what does this indicate?

If cortisol levels are elevated after administering cosyntropin, this suggests that the client has normal adrenocortical function. Cosyntropin is a synthetic form of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In a healthy adrenal gland, the administration of cosyntropin should lead to an increase in cortisol production within a short period, typically 30 minutes.

Therefore, the elevation in cortisol levels indicates that the adrenal glands are responding appropriately to the stimulation, showing that they are functioning normally. In contrast, if the adrenal glands were not functioning properly (as in adrenal insufficiency), one would expect little to no increase in cortisol levels following cosyntropin administration. Thus, the presence of elevated cortisol levels confirms the adequacy of adrenal function in this context.