UNIT 4- PARATHYROID DISORDERS Flashcards
What does the parathormone (PTH) regulate?
Calcium balance
Increased PTH levels means ___ phosphorus?
Decreased
If serum calcium is decreased what happens to the PTH level?
(normal functioning parathyroid)
Parathyroid increases PTH level and calcium is drawn from the bone and increases the serum calcium level
If serum calcium is increased what happens to the PTH level?
(Normal functioning)
Thyroid increases calcitonin which decreases serum calcium
What are the 3 types of hyperparathyroidism?
- Primary
- Secondary
- Tertiary
What is happening in primary hyperparathyroidism?
- Enlargement of parathyroid glands
- increased PTH = Increased blood calcium
What is happening in secondary hyperparathyroidism?
- Excess PTH 2nd due to low CA level
- Possible causes:
- vit. D deficiency
- Ca not absorbed from intestines
What is happening in tertiary hyperparathyroidism?
- Renal failure
- Decreased ability to excrete phosphate
- decreased ability to activate vit. D into usable dihydroxyvitamin D
What labs would you expect to see in a patient with hyperparathyroidism?
- Increased CA & PTH
- Decreased Phosphorus
What might you find on your assessment of a hyperparathyroid patient? ( CV, MS, GI, Renal, CNS, Psychological)
CV: increased BP, dysrhythmia
MS: Bone pain/ fracture, muscle weakness
GI: Anorexia
Renal: polyuria, or renal calculi
CNS: decreased DTR, paresthesia
Psychological: Depression, psychosis, cognitive dysfunction
Hypercalcemic crisis
Hyperparathyroidism uses the acronym WEAK… what does that stand for?
W- Weakness
E- EKG
A- Absent Reflex
K- Kidney stone
Increased calcium puts patients at risk for what?
Kidney stones
How do we manage mild hyperparathyroidism?
- increased fluids & wt. bearing exercise
- Avoid Ca supplements, large doses vit. A & D
How do we manage acute hyperparathyroidism?
- Ns gtt, loop diuretics, phosphates, calcitonin
- Dialysis
- if level is greater than 15
- Surgery
- won’t happen unless patient is stabilized.
What nursing problems should the nurse be watching for with a patient with hyperparathyroidism?
- Pain
- Bone pain
- Knowledge deficit
- Risk
- injury, mobility, cardiac, neurological, urinary or bowel elimination, fluid & electrolyte