Endocrine Reading Flashcards
- Describe the effects of aging on the endocrine system.
Aging lowers your hormone levels and tends to cause some disorders that will generally only occur in elder age groups
lowers metabolism, ADH production, and estrogen
Assessment of the thyroid
Vital signs
Integument
Height and weight
Mental and emotional status
Head and neck
Thorax
Abdomen
Extremities photographs
If the thyroid gland is palpable on the throat this poses a serious concern as you should not be able to feel the thyroid gland unless inflamed or has an issue going on with i
- What is a hypophysectomy and why is it done?
surgical removal of the pituitary gland as tx for pituitary tumor
- Give 3 top priorities in postoperative hypophysectomy care
stroke
- vision loss
- meningitis
- CSF leak
- DI - can be permanent in 2-5% and treated by medication
- What is the significance of a ‘halo’ on a drip pad after a hypophysectomy?
The halo is cerebrospinal fluid around blood
- Test for blood glucose with dipstick
Bad thing can need to be let out through lumbar puncture
- How does increased ADH levels impact fluid volume?
Increased ADH level cause and excess of water and a decrease of sodium
- An increase in the release of ADH makes your body hold on to water causing fluid volume retention while depleting the levels of electrolytes that you have
Normally caused by pituitary surgery, trauma, head injury, CVA or infection like meniginitis or a malignant tumor
S/S SIADH
a. Fluid volume excess
b. Weight gain without peripheral edema
c. HA, altered LOC risk for seizure
d. Concentrated amber urine
e. Fatigue
f. N/V
g. Think spongebob for this
S/S DI
a. Severe thirst
b. Weight loss
c. Excessive dilute urine will be extremely sticky
d. Trouble sleeping
e. Fever
- What impact does SIADH and/or DI have on sodium, other electrolytes, and osmolality?
SIADH = low Na, BUN, Hct
- serum osmolality low
- urine osmolality HIGH (concentrated)
DI = high Na
- serum osmolality HIGH
- urine osmolality LOW (DILUTE POLYURIA)
- What medications are used to treat SIADH and DI? Give major side effects and patient education needs
DI - Desmopressin acetate
- 2. Erythema of injection sites, nasal irritation, hyponatremia, doesn’t raise BP
3. Cant use concurrent loop diuretics or glucocorticoids and must hold is creatinine clearance <50mL/min
4. Drug choice for DI and is more effective than vasopressin
5. Must monitor I&O, serum and urine osm, daily weight, assess for hypo/hypervolemia
6. No alcohol, medical alert bracelet and how to administer, nasal spray is the cheapest and most common
DI - Vasopressin
1. Very similar to their natural hormone
2. Promotes renal conservation of water
3. Vasoconstriction and increases BP, HA, chest pain and water intoxication
4. Don’t use if they have chronic renal failure
5. Monitor BP, HR, EKG, I&O, urine osm, dehydration vs. fluid overload
6. Teach no alcohol, medic alert ID band, limit fluid intake
7. Very important to know that they are on this drug
SIADH priorities
i. Safety and precautions for seizures depending on their sodium levels
ii. Can restrict fluid as this is the easiest way to help with fluid retention; may restrict to 800-1200 mL a day counting IV/IVPB and frozen items, if severe enough we will restrict to 500 mL
iii. Daily weight
iv. Strict I&Os
v. VS, CV, and neuro checks frequently
DI priorities
i. Identify and correct underlying issue
ii. Replace ADH
iii. Monitor VS, CV, and neuro frequently
iv. Daily weight and strict I&Os
- Top patient teaching needs for SIADH and DI.
SIADH = report wt gain, slow Na gradually, fluid restrictions, seizure and electrolyte balance
DI = Meds (vasopressin and DDAVP), REHYDRATE, Na restrictions, daily wt, risk of skin tears
- Does a goiter determine if a patient has hyper or hypo thyroidism?
No, goiter can occur in hyper, hypo, and eu-
- What a 3 classic signs of Grave’s Disease?
goiter
bulging eyes
raised red rash
- How are TSH, T3 and T4 levels impacted in hyper or hypo thyroidism?
a. TSH is a measurement for testing thyroid function and manages thyroid replacement therapy; produced by pituitary gland and stimulates the production of T3 and T4
i. Both T3 and 4 will be high in hyperthyroidism while low in hypo
b. T3 accurately measures hyperthyroidism and evaluates the thyroid levels after admin of iodine
c. T4 measures free and unbound thyroxine levels in your bloodstream