Mark k lecture 7 Flashcards
what are the S/Sx of hypermetabolism?
o Weight loss
o HR up, BP up
o Hyperpersonality
o They have heat intolerance … Can tolerate cold because body
is like a furnace
o Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) … Think Susan Sarandon, or
Don Knotts
graves disease
Hyperthyroidism (run yourself into the grave)
3 was to treat hyperthyroidism
- Nuke it with radioactive iodine
The Pt must flush three times after urinating
Call hazmat team if urine is spilled on the floor
The Pt needs a private room in the first 24 hours
o Visitors restriction and in hospital and at home in first 24 hours - PTU (Propylthiouracil)
o PTU “Puts Thyroid Under”
o PTU’s primary use is for cancer—Monitor WBC b/c pt is immunosuppressed
3.Thyroidectomy
o Surgical removal of the thyroid is the
most common treatment
o To answer questions on the Board
correctly, pay attention whether it is a
Total, Sub (a.k.a. Partial)
thyroidectomy
o Total thyroidectomy needs lifelong
hormone replacement, and pt is risk
for hypocalcemia due to difficulty to
spare the parathyroid glands
What are the symptoms of hypocalcemia?
- Paresthesia, tetany, twitching, spasm, clonus, seizure, jitteriness, tremor (all UP!). also,
Chvostek and Trousseau signs
Treatment of Subthyroidectomy
- Do not need lifelong hormone replacement
- May need to supplement at first
- HOWEVER, they are at risk for thyroid storm
S/Sx of thyroid storm / treatment — A medical emergency
- Temps of 105 or above
o Get temp down, bring oxygen up
o Bring body temperature down using ice packs/cooling blankets *
o Oxygen per mask at 10L*
o Stay with patient * - High BP, stroke level — about 210/180
- Severe tachycardia 180 as high as 200
- Psychotically delirious
Self-limiting, no meds due to rebound effects either they die or they survive
Lowering body temperature in thyroid storm first vs best
- First step is ice pack
- Best step is cooling blanket
Postop Risks in total thyroidectomy and subtotal thyroidectomy
* First 12 hours
1.Top priority is airway, due to edema
2. Next is hemorrhage because it is an endocrine gland—very vascular
Postop Risks in total thyroidectomy and subtotal thyroidectomy Next 12 to 48 hours
It matters what kind of surgery you’ve had now
1.Total: big danger is tetany due to low calcium
TOTAL = TETANY … Can close off airway with an irreversible spasm
2. Subtotal: big danger is thyroid storm
SUBTOTAL = STORM (Severe)
Postop Risks in total thyroidectomy and subtotal thyroidectomy after 48 hours
risk is infection
Note: For any type of procedure, the risk of infection significantly increases after 72 hours
So, what are the S/Sx of hypomatabolism?
o Obesity
o HR down, BP down
o Personality: Flat, boring, dull
o They have cold intolerance … Can tolerate heat
o Academically challenged
Myxedema is the name
Myxedema
- This is when a pt with severe hypothyroidism presents with skin involvement
Myxedema coma
- Severe hypothyroidism leading to decreased mental status, hypothermia, and other symptoms
related to slowing of function in multiple organs - Medical emergency
Treatment of hypothyroidism
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- Taken in the morning 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast
- Taken alone on an empty stomach with water
Can you sedate pts with hypothyroidism?
- They’re already super slow. They can go into a coma
A pt dx with hypothyroidism will be undergoing surgery the next morning. The physician ordered the
pt NPO at 12:00 am. Pt is on Synthroid and multivitamin pills. What should the nurse question?
- Clarify the NPO order for the Synthroid … Why?
o The pt needs the Syntroid medication to get through surgery. Otherwise, the condition
may potentiate the suppressing effects of the anesthesia during surgery
o Therefore, don’t hold thyroid pills unless explicitly orders
Interestingly, all adrenal cortex diseases either start with an
“A” or
a “C”
* Addison Disease (a.k.a. hypoadrenalism or adrenal
insufficiency), Cushing
Addison disease
- Under secretion of steroids (they are a time bomb!)
- S/Sx: pts are Hyperpigmented (very tan)
- They do NOT adapt to stress
What is the purpose of the stress response in an individual?
- To maintain
o A normal blood pressure to perfuse the brain and other organs
o An adequate level of glucose to feed the body
What could happen if these pts can’t adapt to stress?
Under stress, pts with Addisson disease will go into shock and
have an hypoglycemic episode (Addisonian crisis)