Adrenal Glands Flashcards
Why do we need adrenal glands?
To handle stress
What are the two parts to the adrenal glands?
Adrenal medulla
Adrenal cortex
What does adrenal medulla secrete?
Epinephrine
Norepinehrine
What is the adrenal medulla problem?
Pheochromocytoma
What is a pheochromocytoma?
Benign tumors that secrete epic and norepi in BOLUSES
tend to be familial
Pheochromocytoma
BP?
HR?
Body temp?
HA?
BP, HR increased (also can have palpitations)
Flushing, extremely diaphoretic
HA
T/F: If client has pheochromocytoma we need to palpate abdomen
F!! Doing this could release epi and norepi and cause severe HTN!
Pheochromocytoma
Dx?
Catecholamine levels–VMA test or MN test
Pheochromocytoma
What are foods that can alter the VMA or MN test?
Anything with vanilla in it
Caffeine
Vit. B
Fruit juices and bananas
Pheochromocytoma
How to do the VMA/MN test?
24 hour urine specimen is done and you look for increased levels of epic and norepie (aka catecholamines)
Pheochromocytoma
What are activities that can increase epi and norepi?
Smoking
Running
Pheochromocytoma
Tx?
Remove the tumor
What does adrenal cortex secrete?
Glucocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
Sex hormones
Adrenal cortex-Glucocorticoids
4 big things that these do?
- Change mood
- Alter defense mechanisms
- Breakdown fats and proteins
- Inhibi insulin
Adrenal cortex-Glucocorticoids
Change mood..how?
Depressed
Psychotic
Euphoric
Insomnia
Adrenal cortex-Glucocorticoids
Alter defense mechanisms..how?
Infection risk!! Immunosuppressed
Adrenal cortex-Glucocorticoids
Breakdown fats and proteins..What do these do?
Help regulate glucose metabolism
Adrenal cortex-Glucocorticoids
Inhibit insulin…what does this mean?
Hyperglycemic
Do BG monitoring!!
Adrenal cortex-Minderalocorticoids (aldosterone)
What with Na H20 and K?
Retain Na and H20
Lose K
Adrenal cortex-Minderalocorticoids (aldosterone)
Too much aldosterone = ?
Fluid volume excess (retaining too much Na and H20)
Hypokalemia
Adrenal cortex-Minderalocorticoids (aldosterone)
Not enough aldosterone =?
Fluid volume deficit (loos Na and H20)
Hyperkalemia
Adrenal cortex-Sex hormones (testo, estro, progestro)
Too many sex hormones = ?
Hirsutism
Acne
Irregular menstrual cycle
Adrenal cortex-Sex hormones (testo, estro, progestro)
Not enough sex hormones = ?
Decreased axillary/pubic hair
Decreased libido
Where is ACTH made?
In pituitary
What does ACTH do?
Stimulate cortisol (steroids) to be made
Increase ACTH = ?
Increase cortisol level
