Endocrine System (Exam One) Flashcards
Which glands are responsible for secreting hormones into the blood stream?
Endocrine glands
List examples of the negative-feedback system within the body.
- Thermoregulation
- Blood sugar regulation
- Sweating
- Urination
The Anterior Pituitary Gland is regulated by which gland?
Hypothalamus
What hormones come from the Anterior Pituitary Gland?
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Prolactin
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
The Posterior Pituitary Gland is an extension of what?
Extension of hypothalamus
Does the Posterior Pituitary Gland synthesize its hormones? Explain.
- No
- It only stores and releases hormones
What gland stores and releases Antidiuretic hormone and Oxytocin?
Posterior Pituitary Gland
What are tropic hormones?
Hormones that send messages to other glands and tell those glands to release their specific hormones
What hormones are classified as tropic hormones?
HINT: FLAT
- Follice Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
What is the most common cause of hypo- and hyper-function of the anterior pituitary gland?
Tumors
What is the main goal of the anterior pituitary gland?
Secrete tropic hormones
Deficiencies of which hormone(s) is considered life threatening?
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
How does Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) work? Which gland does it act on?
- Stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
- Acts on the thyroid gland
How does Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) work? Which gland does it act on?
- Stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol)
- Acts on the adrenal gland
If there is a malfunction of the Anterior Pituitary Gland, what will happen with secretion of its hormones?
There will either be too little or too much of various hormones released
Why would increased levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone be present in the body?
- During periods of stress, trauma, infection, illness, etc.
- ACTH is stimulating the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol)
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulus the release of what hormone?
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
What tropic hormone is released to promote the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex?
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Hyperfunction of the growth hormone (GH) causes what disorder?
Acromegaly
Acromegaly causes the overgrowth of what structures? Are the onset of symptoms rapid or slow?
- Overgrowth of soft tissues and certain bones (width)
- Develops slowly over time
What type of skin changes occur in a patient with acromegaly?
- Thick skin
- Oily skin
- Increased sweating
List the signs and symptoms of acromegaly.
- Abnormally large growth of hands, feet, nose, jaw, or brow
- Sweating
- Thick tongue/lips
- Oily skin
- Thick skin
- Hyperglycemia
- Type II DM
- Hoarse voice
- Weight gain
Acromegaly is what type of gland disorder?
Anterior Pituitary Gland disorder
Acromegaly is a secondary cause of __________.
Diabetes
Posterior pituitary gland disorders will result in the overproduction or underproduction of what hormone?
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
What environment within the body will cause Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) to be released?
- High serum osmolality
- Dehydration
When will the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) be inhibited?
Low serum osmolality
What is the primary role of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) when it is released?
To conserve fluids through the kidneys
What is the normal range for serum osmolality?
280 - 295 mOsm/kg
What is the normal range for urine osmolality?
300 - 900 mOsm/kg
What is the normal range for specific gravity?
1.005 - 1.030
Describe the amount of solutes in the urine and urine characteristics if specific gravity is low.
- Less solutes in urine
- Dilute urine
Describe the amount of solutes in the urine and urine characteristics if specific gravity is high.
- More solutes in urine
- Concentrated urine
List situations in which serum osmolality will be decreased.
- Fluid volume overload
- SIADH
List situations in which serum osmolality will be increased.
- Dehydration
- Ethanol ingestion
- Diabetes insipidus (DI)
- Renal tubular necrosis
- Severe pyelonephritis
Is urine osmolality or specific gravity more effective in determining urine concentration?
Urine osmolality
List a condition in which serum and urine osmolality may both be elevated?
Dehydration
What is the most common cause of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
Hormone-secreting tumor (i.e. lung cancer)
When taking care of a patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), the nurse knows what would be a priority intervention?
- Fluid restriction
- Daily weight
List signs and symptoms of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
- Decreased urine output
- Concentrated urine
- Increased body weight
- Dyspnea on exertion
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
A patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) is on a fluid restriction. What might the nurse give this patient instead?
- Hard candies
- Mouth swabs
- Sugarless gum
- Ice chips
Should the nurse restrict salt in a patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)? Why or why not?
- No
- Patient is at higher risk for hyponatremia
List laboratory values that will be decreased in a patient suffering from Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
- Sodium
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- Chloride
- Serum osmolality
List laboratory values that will be increased in a patient suffering from Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
Urine osmolality
If a patient has mild hyponatremia, the nurse should expect sodium laboratory values within what range?
125 - 134
List signs and symptoms of mild hyponatremia.
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Irritability
If a patient has severe hyponatremia, the nurse should expect sodium laboratory values within what range?
120 - 125
List signs and symptoms of severe hyponatremia.
- Muscle cramps
- Vomiting
- Cerebral edema
- Decreased LOC
- Headache
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Coma
What type of precautions should be initiated for a patient diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) who is severely hyponatremic?
Seizure precautions
List nursing management for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
- I&O’s
- Vital signs (blood pressure)
- Lung sounds
- Daily weights
- Position changes
- Seizure precautions
A patient diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) who has mild hyponatremia is allowed how many milliliters of fluid(s) per day?
800mL - 1000mL
A patient diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) who has severe hyponatremia is allowed how many milliliters of fluid(s) per day?
500mL
Sodium levels must be greater than _______ in order to administer lasix in a patient diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
> 125 mEq/L
A patient arrives to the medical floor from the ED after being diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH). What type of fluids does the nurse expect to be ordered for this patient?
Hypertonic saline (3%)
Improvement of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) is indicated by what laboratory values and/or signs and symptoms?
- Increased urine output
- Increased urine sodium
- Decreased specific gravity
- Decreased weight
Describe the etiology of Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (DI).
Kidneys are resistant to antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
List causes of Diabetes Insipidus (DI).
- Pituitary tumor
- Head trauma
- Surgery
- Medication
List the signs and symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus (DI).
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Dehydration
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Hypovolemic shock
- Decreased LOC
- Death
List laboratory values that will be decreased in a patient suffering from Diabetes Insipidus (DI).
- Specific gravity
- Urine osmolality
List laboratory values that will be increased in a patient suffering from Diabetes Insipidus (DI).
- Serum osmolality
- Sodium
List signs and symptoms of hypernatremia.
- Irritability
- Mental dullness
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Coma