Endocrine System (Exam One) Flashcards
How does the Negative Feedback System/Mechanism work?
HINT: Thermostat
- This mechanism reverses changes that occurred
- Body condition moves away from normal range (homeostasis), specific hormone is stimulated to bring body back to homeostasis, need is met and conditions normalized, hormone stimulation is stopped
How does the Positive Feedback System/Mechanism work?
HINT: Childbirth
-This mechanism amplifies or reinforces changes that have occurred
What regulatory hormones does the hypothalamus produce? What organ do these hormones act on?
- Releasing hormones and Inhibiting hormones
- These hormones act on the Anterior Pituitary Gland and tell it to release or inhibit the release of hormones
What two hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamus?
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- Oxytocin
What gland stores and releases Antidiuretic hormone and Oxytocin?
Posterior Pituitary Gland
The Anterior Pituitary Gland is regulated by which gland?
Hypothalamus
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?
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Follice Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
What hormones come from the Anterior Pituitary Gland?
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
- Follice Stimulating Hormone
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Growth Hormone
- Prolactin
How does Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) work?
- Stimulates the thyroid to release thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
- Acts on the thyroid gland
How does Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) work?
- 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
The Posterior Pituitary Gland is an extension of what?
Extension of the hypothalamus
Does the Posterior Pituitary Gland synthesize its hormones?
- No
- It only stores and releases hormones (Antidiuretic Hormone and Oxytocin)
When would increased levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone be present in the body?
- During periods of stress, trauma, infection, illness, etc.
- Levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) would be increased because this hormone is stimulating the Adrenal Cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol)
How does Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) (also known as Vasopressin) work?
- It regulates fluid volume within the body
- When released, it tells the kidneys to reabsorb water, thus conserving water within the body
Which endocrine gland can possibly be palpated? When should you avoid palpating this gland?
- Thyroid Gland
- Avoid palpitation in patient with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, due to excess secretion of hormone
What hormone stimulates the thyroid to release T3 and T4?
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
What three hormones come from the thyroid?
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Thyroxine (T4)
- Calcitonin
What do T3 and T4 do within the body?
- Regulate cellular respiration of glucose and fatty acids
- Control metabolism throughout entire body and all bodily processes
- Growth and development
- Brain function
- Essential for life
In order for T3 and T4 to be synthesized by the thyroid, what must be in the diet?
- Protein
- Iodine
What does calcitonin do within the body?
HINT: Calcitonin = “tone down”
- Inhibits reabsorption of calcium
- Lowers serum calcium levels
- Retains calcium and phosphate within the bones
When is calcitonin stimulated?
- When serum calcium levels are too high (hypercalcemia)
- It will take excess calcium and store it in the bones and teeth
What hormone is produced by the Parathyroid Gland?
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
What does Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) do?
HINT: Antagonist to calcitonin
- Raises serum calcium levels:
- Pulls calcium from bones
- Encourages small intestine to absorb more calcium
- Encourages the kidneys to reabsorb more calcium and eliminate phosphate
When is Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) secreted?
During hypocalcemia
The Adrenal Medulla releases what hormones?
HINT: MEN
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
What effect do Epinephrine and Norepinephrine have on the body?
- Act on alpha one, beta one and beta two receptors
- Increase the heart rate, increase the force of cardiac contraction, bronchodilation, vasoconstriction of peripheral arteries, vasodilates skeletal muscle arterioles, tells the liver to convert glycogen to glucose for energy
When are Epinephrine and Norepinephrine released?
Released during stressful times (flight or fight) to manage stress response and keep body safe
The Adrenal Cortex releases what hormones?
HINT: Sex, Sugar, Salt or Make Good Sweets
It releases corticosteroids, which include:
- Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)
- Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)
- Gonadocorticoids (Androgens)
Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates the release of what hormone?
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Cortricotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulates the release of what hormone?
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
What hormones are essential for life?
Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4)
What signs are used to assess for hypocalcemia?
Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign
What hormones released by the Adrenal Cortex are essential for life?
- Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)
- Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)
What tropic hormone is released to promote the release of Cortisol from the Adrenal Cortex?
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
What is the target organ of Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)?
Kidneys
What is the target organ of Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)?
Many systemic body tissues
What does Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) do for the body?
Provides energy sources to the body during stress (because it tells the liver to convert glycogen to glucose)
What organ is both an endocrine and exocrine gland?
Pancreas
What hormones does the Pancreas synthesize and release?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
What specific cells secrete insulin?
Beta cells
What specific cells secrete glucagon?
Alpha cells
What specific cells secrete somatostatin?
Delta cells
Where do beta and alpha cells live within the Pancreas?
Islet of Langerhans
What two endocrine disorders can occur if Antidiuretic Hormone isn’t regulated properly?
- Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
- Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
What is Diabetes Insipidus (DI)? What happens during this issue?
HINT: Dry Inside (DI)
- Hyposecretion of Antidiuertic Hormone (ADH) (too little)
- Dehydrated
- Excessive water secretion
- Blood is concentrated, sodium levels high
- High blood osmolality
- Increased urine output
- Low urine osmolality, low urine specific gravity, dilute urine
- Low urine specific gravity < 1.005
What is a priority** nursing concern with Diabetes Insipidus? What is a priority** nursing intervention?
- Concern: Dehydration!**
- Intervention: Promote fluids!**
- Weight loss
- Decreased BP
- Increased HR
What is Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone? What happens during this issue?
HINT: Soaked Inside (SI) or Syndrome of Increased Antidiuretic Hormone
- Hypersecretion of Antidiuertic Hormone (ADH) (too much)
- Fluid overloaded
- Excessive water retention
- Blood is diluted, sodium levels low
- Low blood osmolality
- Decreased urine output
- High urine osmolality, high specific gravity, highly concentrated urine
- High urine specific gravity >1.030
What is a priority** nursing concern with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone? What is a priority nursing intervention?
- Concern: Fluid overload!**
- Intervention: Restrict fluids, monitor respiratory system for breathing complications (pulmonary edema)!**
- Hypoosmolality
- Hyponatremia
What are common laboratory tests for the thyroid glands?
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- T3 and T4
What are common laboratory tests for the parathyroid gland?
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
What are common laboratory tests for the pituitary gland?
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- Urine specific gravity
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
What are common laboratory tests for the adrenal glands?
- Cortisol
- 24-hour urine for VMA
What do simulation tests help determine?
Adrenal gland function
What does a thyroid scan test for? What must you assess before initiating the scan? What patient eduction should you provide?
- Presence of nodules or tumors
- Shellfish allergy
- Small amounts of radioactive material is used, no risk, no special precautions necessary
Hot spots on a thyroid scan are considered to be what?
HINT: Not Hot
Nodules that are NOT malignant
Cold spots on a thyroid scan are considered to be what?
- Nodules or tumors that are malignant
- Biopsy is usually necessary
The anterior pituitary gland is also known as what?
The master gland
How does Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) work?
- Control of reproductive function
- Acts on ovaries and testis
- Stimulates secretion of estrogen
- Development of eggs in women
- Development of sperm in men
How does Luteinizing Hormone (LH) work?
- Control of reproductive function
- Acts on ovaries and testis
- Stimulates ovulation in women
- Stimulates secretion of sex hormones in men and women
How does Growth Hormone (GH) work?
- Promotes growth (indirectly)
- Acts on liver and adipose tissue
How does Prolactin work?
- Stimulates breast development necessary for lactation
- Acts on mammary glands
How does Oxytocin work?
- Stimulates ejection of milk into mammary ducts
- Stimulates uterine contractions
- Acts on ovaries and testis