What assessment finding would indicate that a patient with Addison's disease is responding well to therapy?

In the context of Addison's disease, which is characterized by insufficient production of adrenal hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, monitoring certain physiological parameters is crucial to assess how well the patient is responding to treatment.

A stable blood pressure is a significant indicator of effective therapy. In patients with Addison's disease, one of the primary therapeutic goals is to normalize blood pressure, which can be unstable due to an imbalance in water and electrolyte levels resulting from adrenal insufficiency. When a patient's blood pressure remains stable, it suggests that the therapy is adequately managing the hormone deficiencies and helping maintain proper fluid balance and vascular tone.

Other options, such as weight loss or decreased urinary output, would actually suggest a worsening condition rather than improvement, as effective treatment should ideally stabilize or improve these parameters. Although increased sodium levels can be a sign of improved therapy due to treatment with mineralocorticoids, the most comprehensive and immediate indicator of effective management in Addison's disease is the stability of blood pressure.