Disorders of the Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
interacts closely with nerves system and immune system to regulate all body functions
What does the endocrine system regulate?
all body processes including HR, BP, and elasticity of blood vessels.
What else does the endocrine system control?
-metabolism of water and nutrients
-controls physical growth and sexual development
-influence emotions
What are the endocrine glands?
-pituitary
-thyroid
-parathyroids
-adrenals: medulla and cortex
-pancreas
-ovaries
-testes
What are the characteristics of endocrine glands?
-ductless glands: release hormones directly into blood not through ducts
-glands are highly vascular
What do hormones do in endocrine organs?
production and secretion
What is target tissue?
-when some hormones effect a specific site
-when other hormones effect multiple sites
Why are hormones produced in endocrine glands?
to help regulate cellular and/ or chemical reactions that involve all bodily functions
What are hormones released by?
signals from the nervous system, in response to hormone level changes
How do hormones know where to go?
it has its own receptor and will communicate only with specific target cells
What do hormone disorders involve?
either hypo secretion or hyper secretion of a hormone
Why do nurses require general knowledge of hormones?
we administer drugs to replace or inhibit hormones and provide client education
Hormones are produced and/ or released by endocrine organs in response to what?
a signal from the nervous system when a hormone level in the blood is too HIGH or too low
How does an endocrine hormone released?
-it is releases from the organ directly in the blood, not through a duct
-travels in blood and may not reach all cells although most have designated target cells, organ, or tissue
How can hormones be produced by neoplasms (tumors)?
-specific lung tumor produces ADH
-thyroid tumor produces thyroid hormone
Hyperfunction- Endocrine Problems
-excess hormone produced
-excessive gland stimulation and enlargement from autoimmune disorder
-gland tumor that produces hormone
-tumor outside a gland that produces hormones
-idiopathic
Hypofunction- Endocrine Problems
-congenital absence or defect of gland or enzyme needed for gland to produce hormone
-gland damage or destroyed by ischemia, infarctions, infection, inflammation or tumor
-gland atrophy that doesn’t produce hormone
-autoimmune disorder
-surgical removal
-hormone receptor deficits
What are the functions of the hypothalamus?
-connects between endocrine and nervous system
-controls secretion of posterior pituitary hormones
-secrete releasing and inhibitory factor hormone that regulate anterior pituitary activities
Why does the anterior pituitary act on target tissues or organs?
to stimulate the production of other hormones
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
-maintains homeostasis
-regulates temperature, heart rate, blood pressure
-governs emotional behaviors
-secretes hormones that act on pituitary gland
What does Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH look like?
-ADH EXCESS
-kidney tubules absorb more water resulting in fluid volume excess
-decreased serum osmolality
-concentrated urine
-hyponatremia
-hypertension
-weight gain
What does Diabetes Insipidus (DI) look like?
-ADH deficiency
-kidney doesn’t reabsorb usual water resulting in fluid volume deficit
-increased serum osmolality
-large volume urine output
-hypernatremia
-hypotension
-weight loss
-possible shock due to decreased circulating volume
What are the functions of the thyroid glands?
-regulates all aspects of metabolism
-nutrient metabolism
-temp
-growth and maturation
-blood vessel elasticity
What is the role of thyroid stimulating hormone?
-stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) into the blood for transport to target tissues
What micronutrient is essential for adequate thyroid function?
Iodine
What are sources of iodine?
salt and seafood
Hypothyroidism Clinical Manifestations
-low T3 and T4/ high TSH
-inadequate thyroid functions
hypometabolism
-decreased appetite, weight gain
-cold intolerance
-fatigue
-depression
-reduced/ absent sweating
-constipation
-menstrual irregularity
What is myxedema?
-SEVERE life threatening hypothyroidism
-widespread edema
-enlarged tongue
-hearing loss due to buildup of fluid in ear cavity
Hyperthyroidism- Clinical Manifestations
-high T3 and T4/ Low TSH
-excess thyroid hormone
-goiter if iodine deficiency
-hypermetabolism
-increased appetite, weight loss
-heat intolerance
-nervousness/ agitation
-insomnia
-expothalmos
-menstrual irregularity
Thyrotoxic Crisis- Thyroid storm
-severe, life threatening hyperthyroidism
-severe tachycardia
-heart failure
-severe hyperthermia
-abdominal pain
-delirium
-coma
-death
Where are the adrenal glands located?
atop each kidney
What is found in the outer part of the adrenals?
-glucocorticoids (raise BP)
-aldosterone
-testosterone
What do glucocorticoids control?
-carb, protein metabolism
-emotional control
-immune/ inflammatory response
What does the medulla (inner part) of the adrenals do?
Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
Hypercortisolism Etiology
-Cushing disease: excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from pituitary
-adrenal tumor
-non pituitary tumor that is secreting ACTH
-Cushing syndrome: glucocorticoid drug therapy
Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency Etiology
-most common: rapid discontinuance of glucocorticoid drug therapy
-primary: Addison disease: adrenal gland destruction
Hypercortisolism- Clinical Manifestations
-easy bruising
-osteoporosis
-hypokalemia
-hyperglycemia
-hypernatremia
-hirsutism: excess hair
-fat redistribution
Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency- Clinical Manifestations
-hypoglycemia
-hyponatremia
-hyperkalemia
-hypotension
-blotches of dark skin pigment
-masculinization
What is the pancreas considered to be?
Both an exocrine and endocrine gland
What is the endocrine function of the pancreas?
secretes hormones that regulate glucose metabolism
What do beta cells release?
insulin
What do alpha cells release?
glucagon
What are the sources of glucose?
-food absorbed in small bowel
-glucose administered IV
-glucose converted from stored glycogen
-metabolism of carbs, fat, protein
