Endocrine System

Question 1

What are four key hormones produced by the hypothalamus?

Answer 1

Corticotropin releasing hormone, thyroid releasing hormone, growth releasing hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone

Question 2

Hormones released from the anterior pituitary gland

Answer 2

TSH, prolactin, FSH, luteinizing hormone, ACTH, growth hormone

Question 3

Hormones released from the posterior pituitary gland

Answer 3

ADH, oxytocin

Question 4

The thyroid gland produces

Answer 4

T3 (triiodothyronine), T4 (thyroxine), calcitonin

Question 5

Effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine on body

Answer 5

Vasoconstriction, increased HR and BP, bronchodilation, pupil dilation, increased blood flow to muscles, increased blood glucose levels

Question 6

Epinephrine has more effect on the _________ as opposed to norepinephrine that has more of an effect on

Answer 6

Heart; blood vessels

Question 7

Normal T3 range

Answer 7

70-204

Question 8

Normal T4 range

Answer 8

4-12

Question 9

Normal TSH range

Answer 9

0.5-5

Question 10

Normal fasting blood glucose should be less than

Answer 10

100

Question 11

A 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test should be less than

Answer 11

140

Question 12

HgbA1C should be less than

Answer 12

6%

Question 13

A deficiency in one or more of the pituitary gland hormones that are released

Answer 13

Hypopituitarism

Question 14

S/S of hypopituitarism

Answer 14

Delayed growth, amenorrhea, impotence (males), hypothyroidism, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, orthostatic hypotension

Question 15

Diagnoses of hypopituitarism

Answer 15

ACTH stimulation test

Question 16

Hypopituitarism treatment

Answer 16

Hormone replacement depending on deficiency: corticosteroids, thyroid, growth, sex

Question 17

Oversecretion of pituitary gland hormones

Answer 17

Hyperpituitarism

Question 18

S/S of hyperpituitarism

Answer 18

Increased ICP (headache, N/V), acromegaly, arthralgia (joint pain), S/S of Cushing’s disease, sexual dysfunction

Question 19

Hyperpituitarism treatment

Answer 19

Surgical: hypophysectomy (removal of part or all of pituitary gland)
Meds: dopamine agonist (inhibits GH or prolactin secretion), somatostatin for acromegaly

Question 20

Hypophysectomy nursing care

Answer 20

monitor for S/S of CSF leak (halo sign around drainage, headache, sweet taste of drainage, drainage positive for glucose)

Question 21

Hypophysectomy patient education

Answer 21

Avoid activities that can increase ICP: coughing, sneezing, blowing nose, bending at waist, straining during bowel movements; transphenoidal (nasal) route: decreased sense of smell is expected for first month following procedure; oral route: do not brush teeth for two weeks. Flossing and rinsing mouth with water is okay; life-long hormone replacement is needed

Question 22

S/S of growth hormone deficiency

Answer 22

Short stature, reduced muscle mass, increased fat, delayed puberty

Question 23

Growth hormone deficiency treatment

Answer 23

Growth hormone replacement (Somatropin IM)

Question 24

Somatropin nursing consideration

Answer 24

Stop treatment once X-Ray shows epiphyseal closure (x-rays needed throughout therapy)

Question 25

S/S of growth hormone excess

Answer 25

Depends on onset of disorder…
Prior to epiphyseal closure: gigantism - excessive height, arthritis
After epiphyseal closure: acromegaly - enlarged hands and feet, protruding jaw, kyphosis, arthritis, enlarged larynx (causes a deep and hollow voice)

Question 26

Growth hormone excess treatment

Answer 26

Hypophysectomy