Endocrine - Adrenal Cortex (General info)

Question 1

What should you think of when thinking of the Adrenal Cortex ?

Answer 1

• Glucocorticoids
• Mineralcorticoids
• Sex hormones

AKA: Steroids !!

Question 2

Does the body produce steroids normally ?

Answer 2

Yes!

Question 3

Which type of steroids change your mood ?

Answer 3

Glucocorticosteroids

Ex: depressed, psychotic, euphoric, insomnia

Question 4

Do Glucocorticoids alter your defense mechanisms ? If so, how ?

Answer 4

Yes

Make you immunosuppressed & a high risk for infection

Question 5

Glucocorticoids cause a breakdown of _____ & ______ ?

Answer 5

Fats & Proteins

Question 6

what should you think about when you hear Mineralcoorticoids ?

Answer 6

Aldosterone

Question 7

Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) make you retain ________ and ______ ?

Answer 7

Sodium & water

Question 8

Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone0 make you loose what ?

Answer 8

Potassium

Question 9

What are the sex hormones ?

Answer 9

Testosterone
Estrogen
Progesterone

Question 10

Too many sex hormones cause what types of things ?

Answer 10

• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth on unexpected areas of the body)
• Acne
• Irregular menstrual cycles

Question 11

Not enough sex hormones cause what types of things ?

Answer 11

• Decreased axillary/pubic hair

- Decreased libido

Question 12

_________ is a hormone of the Adrenal Cortex ?

Answer 12

Cortisol

So, no matter what “fancy” word the NCLEX lady uses…. you will still get the same result….. think “steroids”

Question 13

Where are Adrenocorticotropin hormones (ACTH) made ?

Answer 13

In the Pituitary

Question 14

Adrenocorticotropin hormones are made in the pituitary and stimulate _______ to be made ?

Answer 14

Cortisol

Question 15

Increased ACTH = ?

Answer 15

Increased Cortisol level

Question 16

Too many steroids = ?

Answer 16

Hypercortisolism (just another word)

Question 17

What do Glucocorticoids do to insulin ?

Answer 17

Inhibit insulin

Question 18

what type of steroid causes Hyperglycemia ?

Answer 18

Glucocorticoids

Question 19

Because Glucocorticoids inhibit insulin and causes Hyperglycemia, what should you do ?

Answer 19

Blood glucose monitoring

Question 20

A breakdown of fats and proteins & the inhibition of insulin and hyperglycemia help do what ?

Answer 20

Regulate glucose metabolism