ENDOCRINE 2 Flashcards
Risk Factors for Endocrine Problems
- age
- heredity
- congential factors
- trauma
- environmental factors
- consequence of other health problems or surgery
Hypothalamus
- Portion of the diencephalon of the brain, forming the floor and part of the lateral wall of the third ventricle.
- activates, controls, and integrates the peripheral autonomic nervous system, endocrine processes, and many somatic functions, such as body temperature, sleep and appetite.
Hypothalamus hormones
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
- Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH)
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
- Melanocyte-inhibiting hormone (MIH)
- Prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH)
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
Testosterone/Androgen Replacement Therapy
treats hypopituitarism
- treats hypopituitarism
- used to replace deficient hormones or to treat hormone-sensitive disorders
- can cause bleeding if the client is taking oral anticoagulants (increase the effect of anticoagulants)
- can cause decreased serum glucose concentration, thereby reducing insulin requirements in the client with diabetes mellitus.
- hepatotoxic medications are avoided with the use of androgens because of the risk of additive damage to the liver.
- androgens usually are avoided in men with known prostate or breast carcinoma, because androgens often stimulate growth of these tumors.
Androgen side effects
- masculine secondary sexual characteristics
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androgen/testosterone interventions
- monitor vital signs
- monitor for edema, weight gain, and skin changes
- assess mental status and neurological function
- assess for signs of liver dysfunction, including right upper quadrant abdominal pain, malaise, fever, jaundice and pruritis.
- assess for the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
- instruct the client to take medication with meals or a snack.
- instruct the client to notify the PHCP if priapism develops.
- instruct the client to notify the PHCP if fluid retention occurs.
- instruct women to use a nonhormonal contraceptive while on therapy.
- For women, monitor for menstrual irregularities and decreased breast size.
Estrogens and Progestins (women with hypopituitarism)
- estrogens are steroids that stimulate femal reproductive tissue.
- progestins are steroids that specifically stimulate the uterine lining.
- estrogens and progestin preparations may be used to stimulate the endogenous hormones to restore hormonal balance or to treat hormone sensitive tumors (suppress tumor growth) or for contraception.
Estrogen contraindications
- estrogens are contraindicated in clients with breast cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, history of thromboembolism, known or suspected pregnancy or lactation.
- use estrogens with caution in clients with hypertension, gallbladder disease, or liver or kidney dysfunction.
- estrogens increase the risk of toxicity when used with hepatotoxic medications.
- barbiturates, phenytoin, and rifampin decrease the effectiveness of estrogen.
Progestins are contraindicated
in clients with thromboembolic disorders and should be avoided in clients with breast tumors or hepatic disease.
estrogen/progestin side effects and interventions
- breast tenderness, menstrual changes
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- malaise, depression, excessive irritability
- weight gain
- edema and fluid retention
- atherosclerosis
- hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction
- thromboembolism (estrogen)
- migraine headaches and vomiting (estrogen)
- monitor vital signs
- monitor for hypertension
- assess for edema and weight gain
- advise client not to smoke
- advise the client to undergo routine breast and pelvic examinations.
Bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel)
- treats hyperpituitarism/acromegaly
- dopamine agonists: stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain and inhibit the release of GH and PRL (prolactin)
- in most cases, small tumors decrease until the pituitary gland is normal size
- large pituitary tumors usually decrease to some extent
- side effects of bromocriptine include orthostatic (postural) hypotension, headache, nausea, abdominal cramps, and constipation.
- give bromocriptine with a meal or a snack to reducce GI side effects.
- treatment starts with a low dose & is gradually increased until the desired level is reach.
- if pregnancy occurs, the drug is stopped.
- treac pts taking bromocriptine to seek medical care immediately if chest pain, dizziness, or water nasal discharge occurs because of the possiblity of serious side effects including cardiac dysrhythmias, coronary artery spasms, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
Octreotide (Sandostatin)
- treats hyperpituitarism/acromegaly
- inhibits GH release through negative feedback
- assess frequenct and consistency of stools and bowel sounds throughout therapy.
- use cautiously in gallbladder disease.
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP)
- treats diabetes insipidus
- a synthetic form of vasopressin given orally, as a sublingual “melt” or intranasally in metered spray
- the frequency of dosing varies with patient responses.
- teach patients that each metered spray delivers 10 mcg and those with mild DI may need only one or two doses in 24 hours
- for more severe DI, one or two metered doses two or three times daily may be needed.
- During severe dehydration, ADH may be given IV or IM.
- Ulceration of the mucous membranes, allergy, a sensation of chest tightness, and lung inhalation of spray may occur with the use of the intranasal preparations.
- if side effects occur or if the patient has an upper respiratory infection, oral or subcutaneous vasopressin is used.
- the parenteral form of desmopressin is 10 times stronger than the oral form, and the dosage must be reduced.
vasopressin (Vasostrict)
- used in diabetes insipidus
- allows the permeability of the renal collecting ducts, allowing reabsorption of water.
- decreased urine output and increased urine osmolality in diabetes insipidus. Increased BP.
- contraindicated in chronic renal railure with increased BUN
- side effects: dizziness, pounding sensation in head, abdominal cramps, flatulence, sweating.
- monitor BP, Hr and ECG periodically throughout therapy and continuously throughout cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- monitor urine osmolality and urine volume frequently.
- monitor for S&S of water intoxication (confusion, drowsiness, headache, weight gain, difficulty urinating, seizures and coma.
Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
- management of neurogenic diabetes inspidus
- lowers blood sugar by stimulating release of insulin from the pancreas and increasing the sensitivity to insulin at receptor sites. may also decrease hepatic glucose production
- side effects: photosensitivity, hypoglycemia
- monitor CBC periodically during therapy.. Notify health care provider promptly if decrease in blood counts occurs.
Tolvaptan (Samsca, Jynarque)
- Used in SIADH
- vasopressin receptor antagonists
- Promotes water excretion without causing sodium loss.
- Tolvaptan has a black box warning that rapid increases in serum sodium levels (those greater than a 12 meq/L increase in 24 hours) have been associated with central nervous system demyelination that can lead to serious complications and death.
- In addition, when this drug is used at higher dosages or for longer than 30 days, there is significant risk for liver failure and death.
- administer tolvaptan only in the hospital setting so serum sodium levels can be monitored closely for the development of hypernatremia.
demeclocycline (Declomycin) a tetracycline antibiotic
- used for milder SIADH
- an oral antibiotic , may help reach fluid and electrolyte balance, although the drug is not approved for this problem.
- water excretion without sodium loss.
Fludrocortisone (FLorinef)
- causes sodium reabsorption, hydrogen and potassium excretion, and water retention by its effects on the distal renal tubule.
- maintenance of sodium balance and BP in patients with adrenocortical insufficiency.
- used for hypofunction of the adrenal gland.
- monitor the patient’s blood pressure to assess for the potential side effect of hypertension.
- instruct the patient to report weight gain or edema because sodium intake may need to be restricted.
Liothyronine (Cytomel, T3, Triostat)
- thyroid supplementation in hypothyroidism.
- Treatment or suppression of euthyroid goiters.
- Diagnostic agent for suppression tests to differentiate mild hyperthyroidism from thyroid gland autonomy.
- Treatment of myxedema coma (IV fomulation)
- replacement of or supplementation to endogenous thyroid hormones.
- principle effect is increasing metabolic rate of body tissues.
- Side effects: insomnia, irritability, headache, arrhythmias, tachycardia, weight loss, heat intolerance.
- Assess apical pulse and BP prior to and periodically during therapy. Assess for tachyarrhythmias and chest pain.
- toxicity manifests as hyperthyroidism.
Methimazole (Northyx, Tapazole)
&
Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- used in hyperthyroidism
- block thyroid hormone production by preventing iodide binding in the thyroid gland.
- The response to these drugs is delayed because the patient may have large amounts of stored thyroid hormones that continue to be released.
- Teach patients to check for weight gain, slow heart rate, and cold intolerance, which are indications of hypothyroidism and the need for a lower drug dose.
- teach patients to avoid crowds and people who are ill because the drug reduces the immune response, increasing the risk for infection.
- Teach patients taking propylthiouracil to report darkening of the urine or a yellow appearance to the skin or whites of the eyes, which indicate possible liver toxicity or failure, a serious side effect of propylthiouracil.
- Remind women taking methimazole to notify their PHCP if they become pregnant necause the drug causes birth defects and should not be used during pregnancy.
Levothyroxine (T4) (Synthroid)
- Purpose: management of hypothyroidism and myxedema coma
- thyroid hormones
- Side effects: weight loss, arrhythmias, tachycardia, insomnia, irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, menstrual irregularities, thyroid storm, hypertension
- PO; onset 24 hours
- PO: take at same time daily to maintain blood level; take on empty stomach (30 before eating)
- do not switch brands unless directed.
- avoid OTC meds with iodine and iodized salt, soybeans, tofu, turnips, walnuts, some seafood, some bread
- medication controls symptoms and treatment is lifelong
- separate antacids, iron, and calcium products by 4 hours
Lithium (Lithmax, Lithobid)
- manic episodes of bipolar i disorder (treatment, maintenance, prophylaxis)
- alters cation transport in nerve and muscle. May also influence reuptake of neurotransmitters.
- May cause hyper or hypothyroidism.
Prednisone (Deltasone)
- Used in adrenal insufficiency
- instruct the patient to report illness because the usual daily dosage may not be adequate during periods of illness or severe stress.
Furosemide
- used in hyperparathyroidism
- helps reduce serum calcium levels
- a diuretic that increases kidney secretion of calcium, is used along with IV saline in large volumes to promote calcium excretion