50 Questions
What symptom is characterized by a person looking tan all the time?
Hyperpigmentation
What is a common effect of adrenal insufficiency on women?
Loss of body hair
What is a possible consequence of adrenal insufficiency during stressful events?
Going into shock
What is a common symptom of adrenal insufficiency?
Lethargy
What is a possible effect of adrenal insufficiency on hormone production?
Decrease in androgens
What is a skin condition that may accompany adrenal insufficiency?
Vitiligo
What is a classic symptom of adrenal insufficiency?
Hyperpigmentation
What is a possible effect of adrenal insufficiency on the body?
Weight loss
What hormone is increased in adrenal insufficiency, leading to hyperpigmentation?
MSH
What is a common feeling experienced by individuals with adrenal insufficiency?
Lethargy and weakness
What is the primary goal in normalizing hormone levels?
To normalize hormone levels
What is the treatment of choice for hyperthyroidism?
Radioactive iodine therapy
What is the result of radioactive iodine therapy on the thyroid gland?
It destroys some thyroid cells, reducing hormone production
What is the effect of hyperthyroidism on the body?
It increases metabolic rate
What is the benefit of subtotal thyroidectomy?
It preserves some thyroid function
What is the purpose of thyroid hormones?
To regulate metabolism
What is the effect of hypothyroidism on TSH levels?
It increases TSH levels
What is the benefit of radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer?
It destroys cancerous thyroid cells
What is a side effect of the medication mentioned?
Accelerated heart rate
Why is the mentioned medication not the treatment of choice?
Because the patient has to take it for life
What is a physical characteristic of a person taking this medication?
Skin is warm and flushed looking
Why does the condition return when the medication is stopped?
Because the medication doesn't treat the underlying issue
What is a common complaint of patients taking this medication?
Palpitations and increased heart rate
What is the effect of the medication on hormone production?
Increases hormone production
What is a long-term consequence of taking this medication?
Lifelong dependence on the medication
What is the effect of the medication on the body's metabolic rate?
Increases metabolic rate
What is the role of cortisol in the body?
To regulate the feedback mechanism of hormone production
What is the consequence of underproduction of cortisol in the body?
Overproduction of ACTH by the pituitary gland
What is the primary role of the pituitary gland in the hormone production pathway?
To produce ACTH and stimulate the adrenal glands
What is the relationship between MSH and skin hyperpigmentation?
MSH stimulates the production of melanin in the skin
Which group of individuals is at risk of developing an acute Addisonian crisis?
Those with Addison's disease due to hormone deficiency
What is the underlying cause of Addison's disease?
Hormone deficiency
What is the feedback mechanism that regulates hormone production in the body?
Cortisol to pituitary gland
What is the consequence of increased MSH production in the body?
Hyperpigmentation of the skin
What happens to ACTH levels in people who are steroid dependent but do not have Addison's disease?
They drop because the cortex isn't making cortisol
Why is cortisol temporarily increased in people during crisis?
To prevent shock
What happens to the adrenal cortex in people who are steroid dependent but do not have Addison's disease?
It atrophies and stops functioning
What is the role of cortisol in preventing shock during crisis?
It temporarily increases the hormone amount
What happens to hormone production in people who are steroid dependent but do not have Addison's disease?
It decreases due to suppressed cortisol production
Why does the adrenal cortex stop producing cortisol in people who are steroid dependent but do not have Addison's disease?
Because of the drop in ACTH levels
What is the consequence of decreased cortisol production in people who are steroid dependent but do not have Addison's disease?
The adrenal cortex atrophies and stops functioning
What is the effect of steroid dependence on the adrenal gland in people without Addison's disease?
It suppresses the adrenal gland's ability to produce cortisol
What is the concern for patients experiencing hemorrhagic stroke or pop an aneurism in their brain?
Adrenal insufficiency
Which of the following symptoms is NOT associated with the fight or flight response?
Pain in the head
What is the term for the body's response to stress, which includes symptoms such as tachycardia and hyperglycemia?
Fight or flight response
What is the effect of increased heart rate on the body?
Increased respirations
Which of the following symptoms is associated with the fight or flight response?
Anxiety
What is the term for the increased glucose levels experienced during the fight or flight response?
Hyperglycemia
What is the trigger for the fight or flight response?
Stress
What is the effect of increased respirations on the body?
Increased oxygenation
Study Notes
Thyroid Gland
- Thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate, and high levels can lead to palpitations, warm and flushed skin, and trouble closing the eyes, which can cause dry eyes, infections, and corneal ulcers.
- Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) may or may not be reversible with hormone correction, and surgery may be required.
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) results from abnormal stimulation and hormones.
Hypothyroidism
- Characterized by decreased heat production, cold intolerance, and decreased appetite, leading to weight gain due to water retention and slow metabolic rate.
- Peristalsis (muscle contractions) decreases, and thyroid hormone levels are low.
Hyperthyroidism
- Higher metabolic rate results in weight loss, palpitations, warm and flushed skin, and trouble closing the eyes.
- Exophthalmos may occur, and surgery may be required to correct it.
- Goiter can develop, and thyroid hormone levels are high.
Adrenal Gland
Cortex
- Hypofunction: Addison's disease (chronic) or Addisonian crisis (acute)
- Hyperfunction: Cushing syndrome (excess glucocorticoids) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia/adrenogenital syndrome (excess androgens)
Medulla
- Hypofunction: no significant effect
- Hyperfunction: pheochromocytoma (excess catecholamines)
Thyroid Hormones
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development
- Functions of thyroid hormones include:
- Regulating metabolic rate
- Controlling growth and development
- Influencing cardiovascular and nervous system function
Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones
- Pathological change:
- Overproduction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Nursing problem:
- Normalizing hormone levels is the goal
- Radioactive iodine therapy is the treatment of choice
- Assessment findings:
- Increased basal metabolic rate (BMR)
- Increased heart rate and force of contraction
- Palpitations
- Increased respiratory rate
- Warm and flushed skin
- Uneven hyperpigmentation
Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones
- Pathological change:
- Underproduction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
- Nursing problem:
- Normalizing hormone levels is the goal
- Antithyroid medications are used to suppress hormone production
Addisonian Crisis
- Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening condition characterized by acute adrenal insufficiency
- Risk groups:
- People with Addison's disease due to hormone deficiency
- Steroid-dependent individuals
- Symptoms:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased glucose levels
- Palpitations
- Pain in the head
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased respirations
- Treatment:
- Temporary increase in hormone levels to prevent shock during crisis
Understand the regulation of thyroid hormone levels, including normal and abnormal thyroid function. Quiz yourself on thyroid hormone regulation and its implications.
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