Thyroid Gland Flashcards
1
Q
Thyroid
A
-
Primary Function
> controls cellular metabolic activity throughout body - Influences every major organ system
-
Hormones:
> Thyroxine (T4) & Triiodothyronine (T3); aka Thyroid hormone (TH)
> Calcitonin
2
Q
Thyroid Hormone
A
- T3 & T4
- Effect growth, maturation, & function of cells and tissues
3
Q
Thyroiditis
A
- Inflammation of the thyroid tissue, can result in fibrosis & lymphocytic infiltration(buildup of lymph tissue around thyroid)
-
3 Types
> acute: from an infection
> subacute: granulomatous
> chronic: Hashimoto’s disease (most common type) - Symptoms: neck pain, swelling, dysphagia
-
Try nonsurgical management 1st: drug therapy
> Levothyroxine (Synthroid) - Surgical management
4
Q
Hyperthyroidism (Thyrotoxicosis)
fast forward
A
- Excessive output of thyroid hormones
- Women 8x greater than men
-
Graves Disease most common type
> caused by abnormal stimulation by immunoglobulins (autoimmune): immunoglobulins bond irregularly to thyroid tissue = excess secretion of T3 & T4 -
Other types
> formation of nodules from iodine deficiency (toxic multinodular goiter)
> viral infection of thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
> excessive pituitary secretion of TSH (secondary hyperthyroidism)
5
Q
Hyperthyroidism - CMs
A
- Nervous/anxious
- Apprehensive
- Can’t sit still
-
Poor heat tolerance
> heat flashes -
High HR
> 120-180 @ rest - Flushed
- Skin moist
- Tremors
- Incrd appetite
- Wt loss
- Weakness
- Amenorrhea
- Exophthalmos: bulging eyes (permanent)
-
Thyroid enlargement
> bruit over thyroid arteries
6
Q
Hyperthyroidism - Labs & Diagnostics
A
-
Thyroid labs
> TSH will be low, T3 & T4 will be elevated -
Radioactive Iodine uptake
> thyroid needs iodine to produce T3 & T4
> measure rate of iodine uptake by thyroid
> hyperthyroid will be high uptake
> hypothyroid will be low uptake -
Fine-Needle aspirate biopsy
> tissue sample to detect cancer -
Thyroid scan
> radionuclide injeted in thyroid and test determines “hot” areas of incrd activity & “cold” areas of dcr activity (cancer)
> entire body may be scanned to determine metastatic thyroid disease
7
Q
Thyroid Storm
extreme fast forward
A
- Emergency
- Worsening of hyperthyroid S/S
-
Rare complication of hyperthyroidism
> can be fatal -
Develop HF, circulatory collapse, high fever
> high risk for seizures
8
Q
Thyroid Storm - Medical Management
A
- Antithyroid meds
-
Plasmapheresis or dialysis to remove excessive T3 & T4
> short term fix - Ablation or removal of gland
- Cardiac monitoring dysrhythmias
-
Oxygen to treat dyspnea & (possible) HF
> even if at 90% RA - Beta blockers to dcr sympathetic activity symps
- Acetaminophen to reduce temp
9
Q
Hyperthyroidism - Nursing Care
A
- Monitor VS w/ special attention on temp & HR elevations
- Provide calm & quiet envir’t to scr anxiety & irritability
- Maintain a cool room & envir’t
-
Provide ete care (exophthalmos)
> admin artificial tears to reduce dryness
> elevate HOB at night - Corticosteriods to reduce inflammation
-
Collaborate w/ dietician
> hypermetabolic state, caloric intake must be incrd to 4000-5000cals/day
> encourage 6 meals/day - Teach pt & family
- Need for antithyroid med
- Encourage f/u w/ PCP
- Provide info about online resources
- Treat photophobia w/ dark glassess
10
Q
Hyperthyroidism - Medical Management: Ablation/Removal
A
-
Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I 131)
> most common treatment; remission w/ high dose 80% -
Surgical removal of thyroid; relapse 19% at 18mnths
> if I 131 not successful - Total thyroidectomy/Ablation will need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement
11
Q
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
A
- Ablative dose of I 131 administered
- Causes acute release of thyroid hormone as it is destroyed
-
Observe for thyroid storm (thyrotoxic crisis)
> 101.3+ fever, 130bpm+, effects on organs: abd paon, diarrhea, edema, chest pain, dyspnea, delirium, psychosis -
Management
> cooling blanket
> Hydrocortisone (shock & adrenal insuf)
> Methimazole (impede formation of thyroid hormone)
> Iodine (dcr T4 output)
> support cardiac, resp, renal systems
12
Q
Precautions for I-131
A
- Wear gloves & shoe covers
- Wear dosimetry badge
- Minimize time spent w/ pt
- Remain at least 3 ft away when possible
- Contaminated linens must be collected
- Pt must remain in room at all times
- Pt must use disposable utensils
- No minors or pregnant vistors
- Radiation Safety must release room
13
Q
I-131 Nursing Post-Op
A
-
Observe for potential comps:
> hemorrhage
> resp distress: swelling around neck
> hypocalcemia & tetany (parathyroid)
> laryngeal nerve damage
> thyroid storm or thyroid crisis -
Admin hormone replace
> Levethyroxine (Synthroid)
14
Q
Hypothyroidism
slow motion
A
-
95% primarly due to low lvls of thyroid hormones (T3&T4)
> women 5x more than men
> autoimmune (Hashimoto’s), thyroid removal surgery, iodine deficiency, tumors, drugs
15
Q
Hypothyroidism - CMs
A
-
Early
> fatigue, cold intolerance (subnormal temp), low HR, weight gain w/ poor appetite, constipation - TSH high, T3 & T4 low