UNIT 4-Thyroid Disorders Flashcards
How does the thyroid hormone feedback loop work?
- Ant. Pituitary stimulates thyroid hormone production & release
- If blood levels of TH low then hypothalamus releases TRH
- TRH causes ant. pituitary to release TSH
- TSH stimulate thyroid to release TH
- High TH levels inhibit secretion of TRH & TSH
What allergies are important for thyroid scans?
Shellfish and iodine
What labs would we want to monitor with thyroid disorders?
- Serum TSH
- Free t4
- Serum T3, T4
What radiology exams might we see ordered for thyroid disorders?
- Ultrasound
- Thyroid scan
- RAI uptake
- Needle Biopsy
What is a Goiter?
Abnormal enlargement of thyroid gland
A goiter can occur with?
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Euthyroidism
True or false: A goiter can tell us exactly what is wrong with the patient?
False- Just because a patient has a goiter doesn’t mean we know what is wrong
When looking at a thyroid panel for HYPOthyroidism what might our TSH, T4 and T3 look like?
TSH- High
T4- Low
T3- Low or normal
When looking at a thyroid panel for HYPERthyroidism what might our TSH, T4 and T3 look like?
TSH- Low
T4- High or normal
T3 - High or normal
What is a normal TSH level?
2-10 mU/mL
What is a normal T4 level?
4-12 mcg/dL
What is anormal T3 level?
70-205 ng/dL
Excess thyroid hormone results in:
- Increase BMR, CV, GI & Neuromuscular function
- Affects metabolism of fats, carbs & Proteins
- Wt Loss and heat intolerance
Everything is excited
What are causes of HYPERthyroidism?
- Autoimmune RXN (Grave’s disease)
- Excess dose of thyroid replacement
- Thyroiditis
- Tumor
Will your BMR, T, P, R & BP be increased or decreased with hyperthyroidism?
- increased/elevated
On assessment how might your hyperthyroidism patient present?
- Nervous tremor
- Wt. loss, hunger (even after eating)
- N/V/D
- Weakness, fatigue
Graves’ disease patient may present with? SKIP
- Goiter, exophthalmos, or raised red rashed
What are s/s of Hyperthryoidism?
- Intolerance to heat
- Fine straight hair
- Bulging eyes
- Facial flushing
- Enlarged thyroid
- Tachycardia
- increased systolic BP
- breast enlargement
- Weight loss
- Finger clubbing
- Tremors
- Increased diarrhea
- Menstrual changes (amenorrhea)
- Localized edema
How is hyperthyroidism managed?
- Lifelong antithyroid meds
- Ablative radioactive I-131
- Thyroidectomy (Partial or total)
- May require thyroid replacement meds post-op
What problems may we need to assess with patients with hyperthyroidism?
- Knowledge deficit
- Insufficient nutrition
- Avoid spicy foods because it stimulates the GI tract– same with caffeine and fiber
- Altered sleep patterns
- Altered body imagine
- Exophthalmos or goiters
- May have decreased cardiac output or endurance
- May have vision changes
- altered shape of eye
Nursing problems with hyperthyroidism varies how?
Severitity of conditions
What should we educate & evaluate our hyperthyroidism patient about?
Education
1. Medication
- Avoid decongestants and diet pills because it contains stimulants
2. Monitor weight & nutrition
3. Balance activity & rest
- avoid overexertion and manage energy to prevent fatigue
4. Lifestyle & self imagine change prn
5. Eye care PRN (exophthalmos)
- regular eye exams, teach patient to use saline eye drops. They are at an increased risk for light sensitivity or sun damage. Elevate HOB at night
Evaluation
1. Verbalize/demonstrate understanding
2. Follow up with HCP & Lab work..
What are two examples of hyperthyroid medications?
- Methimazole
- Propylthiouracil (PTU)
What is the MOA for Methimazole or propylthiouracil (PTU)
Inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis
What are adverse effects of Methimazole or Propylthiouracil (PTU)
- Agranulocytosis,
- condition where the body has a low level of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell. This can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections
- Hypothyroidism
What are some contraindication of methimazole or propylthiouracil?
- Allergy to thioamides
- impaired liver function
- pregnancy
Nursing care for PTU includes?
- Monitor for signs of hypothyroidism
- Monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism
- Monitor thyroid & LFT, PT, INR, CBC
- Assess vital signs and weight
- TAKE WITH FOOD
- Do not STOP abruptly
What do we teach patients who take PTU?
- Report fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding
- Take medication at the same time of day with meals or snack - space doses
- Signs of hypo- and hyper- thyroid
- Do not stop abruptly
Warning for patients taking methimazole for hyperthyroidism
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fever, rash, pruritis
- GI upset
- Dizziness
MOA of Radioactive Iodine (I-131) hyperthyroid treatment
Destroys thyroid cells at high doses
What are adverse effects of Radioactive Iodine (I-131)?
- Radiation sickness
- Bone marrow suppression
- Hypothyroid
Radioactive Iodine is contraindicated for what patients?
- Pregnancy & Young children
What is the dosage of a radioactive Iodine (I-131) for hyperthyroid treatment?
4-10 mCI orally
True or False: We can expect hypothyroidism after a Radioactive Iodine I-131 tx?
True
What should we teach a patient in regards to radioactive Iodine I-131 tx?
- Monitor CBC
- Use private toilet facilities/flush twice after use
- Bathe daily & frequent handwashing
- Use disposable eating utensils
- Sleep alone & avoid prolonged intimate contact for 3-4 days
- Launder linens, towels, clothes daily & separately
- Avoid coughing & expectoration
What is the MOA of strong iodine solution- nonradioactive?
- Reduces iodine uptake, inhibits thyroid hormone production, & blocks release of T3 & T4
What are the adverse effects of strong iodine solution-nonradioactive hyperthyroidism treatment?
- Iodism
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Irritation in mouth
- Sore teeth/gum
- Swelling in upper throat possible