Medications for Thyroid and Cancer Conditions

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Questions and Answers

Which medication is used to treat hyperthyroidism and requires monitoring of liver function?

Propylthiouracil (correct)

Methimazole

Filgrastim

Tamoxifen

What is the primary hormone secreted in response to low blood sugar levels?

Cortisol

Glucagon (correct)

Epinephrine

Insulin

Which condition is characterized by elevated cortisol levels and specific physical symptoms like a moon face?

Cushing's disease (correct)

Diabetes mellitus

Graves' disease

Thyroid storm

Which medication should be monitored for fevers and chills, and is used for hyperthyroidism?

Methimazole Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for the body to absorb calcium effectively?

Vitamin D3 Signup and view all the answers

What type of insulin is administered at bedtime to prevent nighttime hypoglycemia?

Glargine Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as autoimmune diseases?

Methotrexate Signup and view all the answers

In which condition do patients often require high doses of hydrocortisone due to insufficient cortisol to cope with stress?

Addison's disease Signup and view all the answers

Which medication should be administered with caution in patients undergoing a CT scan with contrast due to the risk of lactic acidosis?

Metformin Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended timing for administering iron supplements?

1 hour before or 2 hours after meals Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is used for stimulating RBC production in patients with cancer?

Epoetin alpha Signup and view all the answers

What side effect should be monitored in patients taking Vincristine?

Neuropathy Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario would a nurse administer Cosyntropin?

In cases of adrenal cortisol insufficiency Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is known to be cardiotoxic and can lead to heart failure several months post-treatment?

Doxorubicin Signup and view all the answers

What common side effect is associated with Octreotide administration?

Constipation Signup and view all the answers

Which group of medications does metformin belong to for managing Type 2 diabetes?

Biguanides Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medications for Thyroid Conditions

Propylthiouracil (PTU): Used for Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism. Check liver function and assess hyperthyroid symptoms. Ketoconazole may be used for hypertension manifestations. Symptoms like mood swings, a puffy face, humpback, and elevated cortisol levels may indicate Cushing's disease. Fever, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), agitation, and restlessness are also associated with hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Storm: A condition where the body no longer needs a specific hormone stimulator.

Medications for Cancer

Filgrastim: Increases neutrophils and leukocytes, used for certain cancers, including breast cancer, and pregnancy category D. Not for breastfeeding.
Tamoxifen: Given for cancer, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and Crohn's disease. Also used for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Methotrexate: Used for cancer, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma; also for Crohn's, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Low Blood Sugar Medications

Glucagon: Secreted in response to low blood sugar levels.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin): Implicated in anemias characterized by low red blood cell count.

Hyperthyroidism Medications

Methimazole: Monitors liver function and complete blood count (CBC). Patients may lose weight when taking this medication.
Vitamin D3: Involved in calcium absorption and thyroid regulation.
Radioactive Iodine I-131: Used to suppress the thyroid gland before surgery.

Insulin Types

Glargine (Lantus): Long-acting insulin, given at bedtime.
NPH: Intermediate-acting insulin; cloudy when mixing.
Regular Insulin: Fast-acting insulin, commonly used in sliding scales.

Other Medications and Conditions

Addison's Disease: A condition where the body does not produce enough cortisol to handle stress; high doses of hydrocortisone are needed to manage symptoms.
Levothyroxine: Medication for hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's disease) given once a day at the same time, with the aim of ensuring proper absorption.
Metformin: Used for diabetes, and can cause lactic acidosis, and should be held if the patient is undergoing CT scan with contrast.
Octreotide (IV or PO): Medication for acromegaly.
Erythropoietin: Stimulates red blood cell production in cancer patients.
Colony-Stimulating Factors: Used for blood disorders associated with low white blood cell counts, and in lymphoma cancer.
Vincristine: A cardiotoxic chemotherapy agent for lymphoma, potentially causing heart failure months after treatment.
Doxorubicin: Another cardiotoxic chemotherapy agent that can damage the heart and should not be used during pregnancy.
Desmopressin: Synthetic vasopressin for certain endocrine conditions, nighttime wetting, hemophilia, and diabetes insipidus.
Cosyntropin: Used for adrenal insufficiency.
Dapagliflozin (Farxiga): Medication that increases glucose secretion in the urine, given for diabetes.
Levothyroxine: Medication for hypothyroidism, which must be taken daily for life.

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Description

This quiz covers important medications for managing thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism and cancer treatments including Filgrastim and Tamoxifen. Test your knowledge about their uses, side effects, and interactions. Stay informed on how these treatments function and their implications for patients.