Adrenal and Pituitary Disorders

Question 1

What is hypopituitarism?

Answer 1

deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones

Question 2

What is gigantism and when does it occur?

Answer 2

growth hormone excess
before puberty

Question 3

What is acromegaly and when does it occur?

Answer 3

overproduction of growth hormone
after puberty

Question 4

what is the main difference between gigantism and acromegaly?

Answer 4

acromegaly occurs years, after puberty and is irreversible
gigantism occurs before puberty

Question 5

what are the assessment findings for acromegaly?

Answer 5

large hands and face

Question 6

what is the number 1 symptom of acromegaly?

Answer 6

headaches

Question 7

How many years does it take for acromegaly to present itself?

Answer 7

12

Question 8

what is the treatment for hyperpituitarism?

Answer 8

hypophysectomy

Question 9

What is the patient education for hypophysectomy?

Answer 9

Avoid straining
monitor for post nasal drip
avoid coughing
report increased swallowing

Question 10

What is diabetes insipidus?

Answer 10

posterior pituitary gland disorder that results in decreased ADH

Question 11

What are the assessment findings for DI?

Answer 11

excessive urination
severe dehydration
excessive thirst
Mental status changes
constipation
clear diluted urine

Question 12

What are the risk factors for DI?

Answer 12

head trauma
brain tumor
meningitis
encephalitis
low ADH

Question 13

What are some lab findings for DI?

Answer 13

low urine specific gravity
high sodium levels

Question 14

what can happen with high sodium levels?

Answer 14

tetany/muscle weakness

Question 15

what is the normal range for urine specific gravity?

Answer 15

1.005 - 1.030

Question 16

what are the nursing interventions for DI?

Answer 16

daily weight
sodium level monitoring
assess LOC
fluids

Question 17

what is the treatment for DI?

Answer 17

desmopressin
fluids

Question 18

What is SIADH?

Answer 18

secretion of ADH when plasma osmolarity is low resulting in water retention

Question 19

What are the assessment findings for SIADH?

Answer 19

nausea/vomiting
lethargy
low DTR
low urine output
low sodium

Question 20

What are the risk factors of SIAHD?

Answer 20

SCC of lung
brain trauma
head trauma
infection

Question 21

what labs do you look at for SIADH?

Answer 21

sodium
plasma osmolality
increased urine specific gravity

Question 22

What are the nursing interventions/considerations for SIADH?

Answer 22

fluid restriction
diuretics
daily weight
I&O
sodium monitoring
assess LOC

Question 23

3 S’s of adrenal gland hormones?

Answer 23

Sugar (glucocorticoids)
Salt (mineralcorticoids)
Sex (androgens)

Question 24

What is Addison’s Disease?

Answer 24

LOW aldosterone and cortisol

Question 25

What deficiencies/imabalences are involved in Addison’s?

Answer 25

Hyperkalemia
Hypercalcemia
Hypoglycemia
Hyponatremia
Cortisol
Aldosterone

Question 26

What are the assessment findings for Addison’s?

Answer 26

Sugar and sodium low
Tired and muscle weakness
Electrolyte imbalance of high potassium and high calcium
Reproductive change
lOw blood pressure
Increased pigmentation
Diarrhea and nausea

Question 27

what are the nursing interventions for Addison’s?

Answer 27

vital signs q 1-4 hours
daily weight
monitor for hyperkalemia
hormone regulation
treat low glucose

Question 28

treatment for Addison’s?

Answer 28

Prednisone
electrolyte replacement

Question 29

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 29

Increased secretion of cortisol

Question 30

What are the main clinical manifestations of Cushing’s?

Answer 30

Moonface
Buffalo hump
Thin arms and legs from muscle wasting
Purple striae

Question 31

STRESSED acronym for Cushing’s assessment

Answer 31

Skin fragile
Truncal obesity
Rounded face
Ecchymosis, Elevated BP
Striae
Sugar extremely high
Excessive body hair in women, Electrolyte imbalance
Dorsocervical fat pad, depression

Question 32

What are the nursing interventions for Cushing’s?

Answer 32

restoring fluid volume balance
assess skin breakdown
meds to decrease cortisol

Question 33

Patient education for steroids

Answer 33

must be tapered off
never stop taking abruptly