Thyroid Emergencies Exam 3 Flashcards
What is the Thyroid Gland ?
Produces thyroid hormones that determine: metabolic rate growth rate other body mechanisms
What are the effects of thyroxine?
- stimulates gastrointestinal activities
- Increases body temperature
- increases cellular metabolism
- increases respiration
- stimulates heart activity
Hypothyroidism
Not enough thyroid produced
What is myxedma ?
A severe form of hypothyrodism that causes swelling and thickening of your skin
Hyperthyroidism
Too much thyroid hormone produced AKA thyrotoxicosis.
- Result of graves disease
What is exopthlamos?
Bulging eyes
What is a nodular goiter?
Enlarged thyroid gland with multiple nodules
What are the signs of hyperthyroidism ?
Weight loss
Nervousness
Insomnia
Bulging Eyes
Tremors
Sweating
Rapid heart rate
diarrhea`
What is the treatment of hypothyroidism?
- Synthetic thyroid hormone
Levothyroxine
What are the three methods of treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Antithyroid medications
Ablation therapy
Surgery
What are the two types of thyroid emergencies?
- Myxedema coma
- Thyroid storm
What is myxedema coma?
When the body is unable to compensate for thyroid hormone deficiency due to some precipitating event
What is the cause of myexdema coma?
- More common in males and individuals over 70
- Often occurs in winter months- HYPOTHERMIA (lower than 95 degrees)
On test
What are the treatment of myxedema coma?
- Normalize patients temperature and maintain respirations
- Call EMS immediately
- IV levothyroxine
What is thyroid storm?
- Life threatening
- Exacerbation of hyperthyroid state
