Emergency Care in Addison's Disease and Cancer

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary causes of a life-threatening emergency for a patient with Addison's disease?

Low levels of catecholamines

Normal stress levels

Excessive hydration

Not treated properly (correct)

Which symptom indicates an imminent crisis in a patient experiencing insufficient adrenal function?

Extreme blood pressure fluctuation (correct)

Slight weight gain

Increased appetite

Mild headaches

What immediate intervention is crucial for treating a patient with acute adrenal insufficiency?

Cooling the patient down

Oral potassium supplements

Increasing physical activity

IV Solu-Cortef/IV fluids (D5NS) **STAT!** (correct)

What condition may result from untreated Addison's disease complications?

Kidney failure; shock Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the adrenal medulla under stress conditions?

Produce excessive amounts of catecholamines Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)?

To eradicate diseased tumor cells and facilitate the engraftment of healthy stem cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following therapies uses high-energy beams to impact tissue?

Radiation therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is a common complication associated with cancer cachexia?

Fat and muscle depletion Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy is known for acting on specific targets related to cancer and causing less damage to healthy cells?

Targeted therapy Signup and view all the answers

What type of therapy directly implants radioactive material into a tumor?

Brachytherapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following treatments can help manage obstructive oncologic emergencies?

Surgical intervention to remove the tumor Signup and view all the answers

Why is malnutrition a significant concern in cancer patients?

It leads to immune dysfunction and tissue wasting Signup and view all the answers

At what point does initiation of cancer occur?

When exposure to carcinogens causes a mutation in DNA Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following treatments is primarily used to block hormone effects that promote cancer growth?

Hormone therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cancer is primarily associated with the skin and internal organs?

Carcinomas Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of cancer cells compared to normal cells?

They proliferate indiscriminately Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to about one-third of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S.?

Tobacco use and unhealthy lifestyle choices Signup and view all the answers

What condition may result from accidental removal of parathyroid tissue during thyroid surgery?

Hypocalcemia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a recommended strategy for cancer prevention?

Limit exposure to carcinogens such as smoking Signup and view all the answers

Which medication should be monitored due to a risk of toxicity when taken with Digoxin?

Oral calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of normal cells in contrast to cancer cells?

They respect cell boundaries and exhibit contact inhibition Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)?

Controls H2O secretion/absorption from intestines Signup and view all the answers

Which type of carcinogen is highlighted as a specific example in the context of chemical carcinogens?

Arsenic Signup and view all the answers

What autoimmune disorder is characterized by the production of Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)?

Graves Disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a common sign of hypoparathyroidism?

Severe tetany Signup and view all the answers

What stage follows the initiation phase in cancer development?

Promotion Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of hypomagnesemia often linked to chronic alcoholism?

Laryngospasm Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is NOT primarily secreted by the thyroid gland?

Insulin Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is specifically associated with Graves Disease in addition to hyperthyroidism symptoms?

Protruding eyeballs Signup and view all the answers

Which food type should be avoided to manage calcium and phosphate levels?

Soft drinks Signup and view all the answers

What role does calcitonin play in the body?

Incorporates calcium into bone Signup and view all the answers

What intervention is necessary when treating hypoparathyroidism?

Monitor calcium and phosphate levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of pseudo-hypoparathyroidism?

Impaired response to PTH Signup and view all the answers

What condition is described as a life-threatening emergency related to the thyroid?

Thyroid Storm Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the adrenal glands is responsible for producing adrenaline?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

Thyroid hormones regulate all of the following EXCEPT:

Red blood cell production Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment option is specifically mentioned for managing eye symptoms in Graves Disease?

Eye drops Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is most commonly used for managing hyperthyroidism?

Methimazole Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason patients may require hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after a thyroidectomy?

Removal of thyroid gland Signup and view all the answers

What should patients avoid when managing hypothyroidism?

Iodine-rich foods Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary cause of hypothyroidism?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical sign of myxedema coma that requires immediate intervention?

Severe hypotension Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of hypothyroidism that patients may experience?

Eyelids drooping Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention is recommended for a patient who has undergone a thyroidectomy?

Monitor calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a patient experiences symptoms of thyroid storm?

Monitoring EKG and BP Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of taking sedatives or narcotics in a patient with hypothyroidism?

Myxedema coma Signup and view all the answers

What lifestyle change is vital for patients taking antithyroid medications?

Avoiding iodine-rich foods Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Med-Surg Study Guide

Burns: Covers types (thermal, chemical, electrical, cold, radiation, friction), burn severity (depth and extent), location-related issues. Includes the Rule of Nines for burn assessment. Includes the Parkland formula for calculating fluid therapy needs. Includes risk factors for burn patients.
Cancer: Details the pathophysiology, types of cancer (leukemia/lymphoma, carcinoma, sarcoma), and stages of cancer development (initiation, promotion, progression). Information on prevention (limit exposure to carcinogens, healthy lifestyle) and types of treatment.
Cardiac Basics: Includes cardiac terms such as preload/afterload, stroke volume, cardiac output, ejection fraction. Details about the flow of blood through the heart, heart sounds and cardiac biomarkers.
Heart Failure: Describes left-sided and right-sided heart failure, including causes (CAD, MI, HTN, damaged valves). Includes risk factors, signs/symptoms, and diagnosis using BNP levels. Discusses interventions and diet recommendations.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Explains the buildup of fatty plaques, types of CAD, risk factors (modifiable & not). Covers signs/symptoms and diagnostic methods, as well as interventions and medications to manage CAD.
Angina Pectoris: Details the cause (reduced blood flow), types (stable, unstable, variant), signs/symptoms, risk factors, and includes the treatment and diagnostic methods.
Myocardial Infarction (MI): Describes the decreased blood flow, causes, early signs, and heart changes post-MI. Includes risk factors, signs/symptoms in both men and women, and the time-related changes after an MI. Discusses possible interventions.
Electrolyte Imbalances: Covers sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), Magnesium (Mg++), chloride (Cl-) and phosphorus (P04) imbalances, with normal ranges and causes (high and low). Includes symptoms and management strategies. Includes a section on relationships between electrolytes.
Endocrine System: Details the major endocrine glands (hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, parathyroid, thyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, testes) and their functions. Includes the pathophysiology and causes/symptoms for related disorders like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and Cushing's Syndrome, and Addison's Disease.
Gastrointestinal: Includes the digestive system, functions, and accessory organs, detailing their role in digestion. Describes issues like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Includes relevant types (i.e. Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis), causes/symptoms, and treatment.
Musculoskeletal: Defines bone cells, joints, muscles, tendons, bursae, fascia and covers issues such as sprains/strains, repetitive strain injury, rotator cuff injury, cartilage injury and fractures, including descriptions, causes, and treatments.
Respiratory: Covers lung anatomy and physiology, including gas exchange. Includes conditions such as pneumonia, COPD, and asthma. Discusses relevant signs and symptoms, causes and treatment.
Neurology: Covers brain anatomy, including lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital), cerebellum and brainstem. Details the role of Cranial nerves. Includes diseases like increased intracranial pressure, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis.
Urinary Tract Infections: Describes the causes and symptoms of various urinary tract infections (UTIs). Includes Urethritis, Pyelonephritis, Cystitis and details on diagnosis and treatment.
Renal: Covers the kidney's anatomy (renal capsule, cortex, medulla, renal artery/vein), along with nephron functions. Details the RAAS system as well as kidney-related diseases such as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), and Renal Calculi (Kidney Stones), detailing their respective causes, symptoms and treatments.
Other: Includes less specific but important topics, like the possible complications of the mentioned conditions where the page breaks out the information into different categories for clarity and ease of learning.

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Description

This quiz covers crucial aspects of managing patients with Addison's disease and oncologic emergencies. It highlights symptoms, interventions, and complications related to adrenal insufficiency and cancer care. Test your knowledge on emergency responses and treatment options in these critical conditions.