Quiz

• Endocrine system plays a vital role in orchestrating cellular interactions, metabolism, growth, reproduction, aging, and response to adverse conditions

  
• Endocrine glands discharge hormones directly into the bloodstream to act on specific target cells
• Exocrine glands discharge secretions with lubricating or digestive function through a duct into an epithelial surface
• Types of hormones include protein peptides (e.g., insulin, ADH, GH, ACTH), amine & amino acid derivatives (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine), and steroids (e.g., cortisol, estrogen, testosterone)
• Pituitary gland:

  • Small pea-shaped gland connected to the hypothalamus
  • Anterior pituitary gland secretes 6 hormones, including GH, prolactin, TSH, ACTH, FSH, and LH
  • Posterior pituitary gland secretes oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin)
• Thyroid gland:

  • Produces T3, T4, and calcitonin
  • Effects of T3 and T4 include normal growth, development, and maturation of the nervous system
• Parathyroid gland:

  • Secrete parathyroid hormone, the principal regulator of calcium metabolism
  • Works with vitamin D to raise blood calcium levels
• Adrenal glands:

  • Located on top of the kidneys and consist of an outer cortex and inner medulla
  • Adrenal cortex secretes glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex hormones
  • Adrenal medulla produces catecholamines like norepinephrine and epinephrine
• Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas:

  • Classified with cells like alpha (produces glucagon), beta (secretes insulin), and delta (secretes somatostatin)
• Endoscopic sclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat bleeding esophageal varices by injecting a sclerosing agent into the varices to stop bleeding

  
• Endocrine glands in the human body include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, and testes

  
• Endoscopic sclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat bleeding esophageal varices by injecting a sclerosing agent into the varices to make them shrink and stop bleeding

  
• Diabetes Insipidus is a condition where abnormally large volumes of dilute urine are excreted due to deficient production of vasopressin
• Diabetes Insipidus can be classified into nephrogenic, primary, or drug-related types
• Manifestations of Diabetes Insipidus include hypotension, tachycardia, increased urine output, and hypoosmolar urine
• Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) occurs when vasopressin is secreted even when plasma osmolarity is low or normal
• SIADH leads to a hypoosmolar state due to hyponatremia, causing symptoms like nausea, lethargy, and disorientation
• Treatment for SIADH includes fluid restriction, promoting water excretion, and replacing lost sodium
• Hyperthyroidism, like Graves' disease, results in excessive thyroid hormone levels, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, heat intolerance, and tremors
• Hyperthyroidism can cause a hypermetabolic state affecting various body organs due to excessive thyroid hormone secretion
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism includes drug therapy with antithyroid medications like PTU or Methimazole, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgical options like total or subtotal thyroidectomy
• Post-op care for thyroidectomy involves monitoring for respiratory distress, signs of thyroid storm, and tetany, as well as providing humidified air and educating the patient on medication adherence
• Endocrine glands in the human body include the parathyroid glands, which maintain calcium and phosphate balance

  
• Hypothyroidism results from the absence or decreased production of thyroid hormone, often due to primary thyroid disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder

  
• Hypothyroidism can lead to decreased metabolism, affecting erythropoiesis and lipid metabolism
• Myxedema coma is the most severe degree of hypothyroidism, characterized by symptoms like hypothermia, bradycardia, hypoventilation, and progressive loss of consciousness
• Clinical findings of hypothyroidism include lethargy, intolerance to cold, constipation, dry skin, and thinning of lateral eyebrows
• Treatment for hypothyroidism involves administering synthetic hormone Levothyroxine sodium and monitoring for chest pain
• Hyperparathyroidism is characterized by hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands, leading to increased calcium absorption and bone resorption
• Clinical findings of hyperparathyroidism include apathy, fatigue, muscular weakness, and bone pain
• Management of hyperparathyroidism includes surgical excision of a parathyroid tumor and calcium intake restriction
• Hypoparathyroidism results from insufficient parathormone secretion, leading to low serum calcium levels and signs of tetany
• Clinical findings of hypoparathyroidism include muscle cramps, irritability, and tingling of extremities
• Management of hypoparathyroidism involves administering calcium chloride or gluconate IV and vitamin D to increase calcium absorption
• Cushing Syndrome/Hypercortisolism is caused by excess secretion of adrenocortical hormones, resulting in symptoms like weakness, mood swings, and obesity in the trunk
• Clinical findings of Cushing Syndrome include moon face, buffalo hump, acne, and hypertension
• Management of Cushing Syndrome aims to reduce plasma cortisol levels, remove tumors, prevent complications, and restore normal body appearance
• Endoscopic sclerotherapy is used to treat bleeding esophageal varices by injecting a sclerosing agent into the varices to make them shrink and stop bleeding

  
• Management of Addison's Disease:

  • Reduce dosage of externally administered corticoids
  • Irradiation of the pituitary if caused by hypersecretion of ACTH
  • Surgical intervention of adrenal tumor
  • Adrenal enzyme inhibitor (trilostane)
  • Potassium supplements
  • High protein diet with sodium restriction
• Pre & Post Operative Nursing Care for Adrenalectomy:

  • Monitor electrolyte imbalance and correct it
  • Control hyperglycemia
  • Prevent infection
  • Promote safety since the patient is prone to fracture
  • Administer glucocorticoid pre and throughout the procedure to prevent adrenal crisis