The nurse is assessing a female patient who has a moon-like face, central obesity, and prominent facial hair. The nurse should identify these as signs of what adrenal disorder?

The signs of a moon-like face, central obesity, and prominent facial hair indicate Cushing's disease, which is characterized by an excess of cortisol. Cushing's disease occurs due to a tumor on the pituitary gland that produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to increased cortisol production from the adrenal glands. This excess cortisol can cause notable physical changes, such as the redistribution of body fat, resulting in central obesity and a rounded face, often described as a "moon face." Additionally, elevated cortisol levels can cause hair growth in areas typical for males, a condition known as hirsutism, which explains the prominent facial hair seen in the patient.

Recognizing these signs is crucial for diagnosing Cushing's disease and differentiating it from other conditions. Addison's syndrome, related to insufficient cortisol, presents with symptoms like fatigue and weight loss rather than the weight gain and specific facial features associated with Cushing's. Hypopituitarism does not typically feature the specific facial characteristics or the obesity seen in Cushing's disease. Arachnoiditis, an inflammation of the protective layers of the spinal cord, does not relate to adrenal hormone levels or the described physical symptoms. Thus, the constellation of symptoms presented aligns clearly with