Drugs Affecting the Endocrine System Flashcards
A chemical substance that’s secreted into the body by one of a group of cells and exert a physiological effect on other cells is defined as:
Hormones
What are the 4 general function of hormones:
- synthesizes/secretes hormones
- coordinate/maintain homeostasis
- Tells tatget organs/cells/tissue when to increase/decrease work
- Regulates basic metabolic activities essential for growth/development/reproduction
What is the hypophysis:
The pituitary gland with the anterior and posterior lobe
What does the adenohypophysis secrete (anterior pituitary gland secretes 7):
- GH: growth hormone stimulates growth in tissue and bone
- TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone which acts on the thyroid gland
- ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone which stimulates the adrenal gland
- MSH: melanocyte stimulating hormone
- ICSH: interstitial cell stimulating hormone
- Gonadotropins: FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone)
- Prolactin: ?
What does the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary lobe secretes 2) secrete:
- ADH: antidiuretic hormone/vasopressin
- oxytocin
The adrenocorticotropic hormone is secreted from where and acts on what:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is secreted from the adenohypophesis/anterior pituitary
- acts directly on the adrenal gland/cortex to increase bld sugar, decreases inflammation/protein stores, and increases catacholamines when stressed
The growth hormone (GH) is secreted from where and what does it act on:
- Growth hormone (GH) is secreted from the adenohypophesis/anterior pituitary
- GH directly acts on cells/tissue/bone tissue for increase growth/bld sugar/protein stores
The melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) is secreted from where and what does it directly act on:
- Melanocyte stimulating hormone is secreted from the adenohypophesis/anterior pituitary
- **MSH directly acts on cells/tissue to increase skin pigmentation **
- side note: skin pigmentation may be increased if ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is secreted in addisons disease
The thyroid stimulating hormone is secreted from where and what does it act directly on:
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted from the adenohypophysis/anterior pituitary
- TSH directly acts on the thyroid gland to increase metabolism
- side note: increase w/stress or cold
The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is secreted from where and acts directly on what?
- Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) is secreted from the hypothalamus when stimulated by the neurohypophysis/posterior pituitary
- ADH acts directly on the renal collecting ducts to increase reabsorption of H2O
Oxytocin is secreted from where and acts directly on what?
- Oxytocin is secreted from the neurohypophysis/posterior pituitary
- Acts directly:???
What drugs are used for a pt w/a growth deficiency and what are the routes/action, and contraindication:
- somatrem (Protropin)
treats dwarfism via IM/subQ by affecting all tissue and bone growth
- somatropin (Genotropin)
Treats growth deficiency via IM/subQ by affecting bone growth at epiphyseal plates
- The somatropin/somatrem are contraindicated in peds w/Praderwilli syndrome/obesity/RR distress d/t fatalities
What suppressant drugs are used for a pt with GH excess, and what are the routes, action, and contraindications:
- bromocriptine (parlodel):
A prolactin-release inhibitor that inhibits the relase of GH from the hypopphysis via PO in pts w/acromegaly (excessive growth post puberty); can be used in conjuction w/hypophysis radiation; will decrease lactation
- octreotide (Sandostatin)
Suppresses GH release in acromegaly (excessive growth post puberty) via subQ;
- GI S/S are common
What hormonal drug is given to a pt to dx w/hypothyroidism as a primary or secondary cause and what is the route/side effects:
- Thyrotropin (Thytropar) is given to see if hypothyroidism is caused from either a thyroid gland disorder or from a pituitary disorder in the secretion of TSH
- IM
What drug is given to Dx/Tx adrenal gland insufficiency, and as an antiinflammatory drug in the Tx (MS) of allergic response:
- (a_C(contrainindications)_thar) Corticotropin stimulates the adrenal gland/cortex to secrete cortisol/corticosteroids which supresses the immune response/antiinflammatory/Tx MS
- IV/IM/subQ
- Side note: DM pt may need insulin d/t drug increasing bld glucose
What are the contrainindications/interactions of the hormonal drug Acthar?
- contrainindicated in HF, peptic ulcer, severe fungal infections
- Interactions: increase risk of ulcers w/ASA/Nsaids; increase effect of thiazide/loop diuretics (hypokalemia d/t potassium-wasting)
What are the side effects of Acthar/ACTH:
- S/S: hypo-kalemia/calcemia, growth retardation, edema (Na retention), GI distress, petechiae, mood swings, glaucoma
- Adverse S/S: osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, decreased wound healing, edema, ulcer perforation/pancreatitis (life-threatening), ecchymosis
What are the Nsg responsibilities for pts taking Acthar/ACTH:
Monitor: G&D in children, weight (d/t edema S/S if weight gain is present), doses should be TAPERED; teach pt to decrease Na intake (d/t edema S/S), electrolytes, GI distress, DM
What are the two hypothalamic hormones that regulate the GH:
GH-RH (releasing hormone) and GH-IH (inhibiting hormone/somastatin) which causes the andenohypophysis to relase/not release GH which stimulate bone/cell/tissue growth
Can you administer GH drugs post fusion of the epiphyses?
No, GH drugs must be administerd subQ/IM before the epiphysss of bones are fused as GH drugs only work on growing bones
What type of GH drug is given to peds w/a pituitary GH deficiency or adults suffering from SDS or HIV catabolism:
Peds: somatrem or somatropin IM/subQ
Adults w/SDS (somatropin deficiency syndrome)/HIV: somatropin IM/subQ
When is somatropin contraindicated in peds:
GH deficency d/t Prader-Willi syndrome, severe obesity, RR impairment (asthma)
What is the difference between Gigantism vs. acromegaly:
- gigantism: excessive growth during childhood
- acromegaly: excessive growth after puberty
What is the drug therapy for either gigantism or acromegaly:
- bromocriptine (Parlodel) PO
- octreotide (Sandostatin) subQ (GI s/s common)
- Adverse effects: joint/back pain, muscle aches, HTN, rhinitis, hypothyroidism, hyperglycemia, HA
What are the nsg interventions/responsibilities/teaching when a pt’s on GH:
- G&D and height and weight measurments; GH levels/thyroid/glucose tests/hip x-rays; funduscopic examination (d/t intracranial HTN/HA in children)
- Teach that GH is not for building muscles, can cause DM, how to evaluate effectiveness of GH drug (G&D, H/W)
What are the hormones released by the neuropophysis:
ADH (antidiuretic hormone)/vasopressin and oxytocin
What drug thearpy is given to pts w/ DI diabetes insipidus (lrg amounts of water is secreted by kidneys d/t deficiency of ADH or brain truama/tumor on hypo/pituitary glands)/ nocturnal enuresis/ maintenance of homeostasis in hemophilia A or von willebrand disease:
ADH Meds:
- Desmopressin (DDAVP): intranasal for DI, hemophilia A, Von Willebrand disease which promotes reabsorption of water from renal tubules
- Vasopressin (Pitressin): subQ/IM for DI promotes water reabsorption from the renal tubules
What are the potential adverse effects when taking ADH meds (Desmopressin acetate DDAVP or Vasopressin):
Water intoxication (peds/adults will be extremely thirsty, have them drink enough only to quench their thirst); rhinitis, GI, HA,
What are the nsg responsibilities and interventions for ADH medications:
- Monitor V/S and and Record UO: (increased heart rate and decrease systolic pressure can indicate hypovolemia resulting from decreased ADH production)
- monitor weight, Serum and urine osmolality, electrolytes, especially Na
What hormones are secreted by the thyroid gland when stimulated by the TSH hormones from the adenohypophesis:
Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Regulates protein synthesis an enzyme activity and stimulates mitochondrial oxidation
What are the three types of thyroid drugs given to pts w/ hypothyroidism or Thyroidectomy:
T4, T3, T3/T4
- T4: (synthroid) (Levothroid)=drug of choice
- T3: (Cytomel)
- T3/T4: Thyrolar
What are the two causes of hypothyroidism:
Primary:
- thyroid gland disorder, more common (d/t thyroid gland inflammation, excess intake of antithyroid drugs, thyroidectomy surgery)
- myxedema (edema of eyelids/face) severe hypothyroidism in adults
- cretinism congenital hypothyroidism
- *Secondary**:
- lack of TSH hormones from adenohypophesis
What is the main drug of choice for Tx hypothyroidism and what it is the action, uses, and contraindications:
Levothyroxine (T4, Synthroid) PO, IM
- T4, Synthroid treats hypothyroidism, myxedema, cretinism by increasing metabolic rate, cardiac output, protein synthesis, and glycogen use
- contraindications: thyrotoxicosis, MI, severe renal disease
- sidenote: usually lifelong treatment
What are the drug interactions when taking T4, Synthroid :
- Increased effects of: cardiac insufficiency with epinephrine, anticoagulants, TCAs, vasopressor, decongestants
- ** decreased effects of**: antidiabetics, digitalis, decrease dabsorption w/cholesterol pills
- Side note: monitor cardiac and kidney function
What are the common side effects or adverse reactions when taking T4, Synthroid given PO/IM:
- Common S/S: Nervousness, insomnia, GI distress/weight loss, tremors, headache,
- Adverse reaction: tachycardia, palpitations, HTN, dysrhythmias, angina, thyroid crisis
- Contrainindicated: MI, severe renal disease
- sidenote: if S/S of hypothyroidism occurs, the dose is insufficient and should be increased.
Why isn’t T3, Cytomel not used for long-term maintenance therapy for hypothyroidism and when is it best used:
T3, Cytomel (given PO)
- Not use as long-term therapy maintenance for hypothyroidism d/t short half-life duration of T3, Cytomel
- ** instead T3, Cytomel is used as initial therapy for treatment of myxedema due to rapid onset of action **
- sidenote: cardiac side effects (C in cytomel = cardiac)