What reassurance can a nurse provide to a patient with Cushing's disease about body changes?

A patient with Cushing's disease often experiences a range of body changes due to elevated cortisol levels. These changes can include weight gain, changes in fat distribution (such as a rounded face), skin thinning, and other soft tissue alterations. When a nurse reassures the patient that soft tissue changes will reverse once therapy is effective, it reflects an understanding of the underlying condition and the body’s ability to recover after the excess hormones are regulated.

In Cushing's disease, effective treatment—whether it involves surgery to remove a tumor, medication to control cortisol production, or radiation—can lead to significant improvements in symptoms and overall health. As cortisol levels decrease and the body's hormonal balance is restored, many of the physical changes associated with the disease may gradually diminish. This reassurance helps the patient maintain hope and understand that while changes are distressing, they are not necessarily permanent and can improve with successful treatment.

Other options present misconceptions about the nature of the changes experienced. For instance, stating that body changes are permanent does not acknowledge the positive outcomes possible with effective treatment. Claiming that changes will return to normal immediately is unrealistic, as recovery from Cushing's can take time, and individual responses vary. Indicating that changes reflect a need for more aggressive treatment fails to