Adrenal Glands - Unit 1

Question 1

Cortisol - The ___ Hormone.

Answer 1

Stress Hormone!

Question 2

What are the essential functions of cortisol?

Answer 2

Metabolism, Immunosuppression, Anti-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Function

Question 3

Cortisol - regulates blood glucose levels. T/F?

Answer 3

True!

Question 4

Why is it good to have gluconeogenesis/glycogen synthesis from cortisol during stress?

Answer 4

Because our brain likes sugar, and it’s energy for us.

Question 5

What does cortisol have to do with the immune response?

Answer 5

Blocks T-Cell Proliferation/inhibits histamine secretion.

Question 6

What does cortisol do for the heart?

Answer 6

Increases BP because of sodium and water retention, tachycardia, and increased cardiac output.

Question 7

Cortisol - h with memory processing and story in the hippocampus. T/F?

Answer 7

FALSE.

Question 8

What are some of the effects of cortisol excess?

Answer 8

Hyperglycemia, reduced immune responses, increased BP/HR, and reduced memory processing/storage.

Question 9

Lack of sleep, alcohol intake, and caffeine intake decrease cortisol. T/F?

Answer 9

False - they increase it!

Question 10

Cortisol levels - highest in the morning and lowest at night. T/F?

Answer 10

True!

Question 11

What might cause long term increased cortisol?

Answer 11

Problems with the hypothalamus, Cushing’s Disease/Cushing’s Syndrome, or drug related (like steroids)

Question 12

What is Cushing’s?

Answer 12

Elevated glucose, immune/inflammatory supression, weakness and lethargy and problems with the heart.

Question 13

Cortisol inhibits insulin effectiveness. T/F?

Answer 13

True!

Question 14

Cushing’s - what are some assessment findings?

Answer 14

Increased weight, no energy, strength (low), “Moon Face,” Striae

Question 15

Cushing’s = HTN in about %__-%___ of cases and Osteoporosis in about %__-%___ of the cases.

Answer 15

75-85/50-60

Question 16

What do we need to do for Cushing’s?

Answer 16

Promote cardiovascular health, blood glucose control, reduce infection risk, promote wound healing, skin case and psychosocial considerations.

Question 17

What do we treat cushing’s?

Answer 17

Remove the cause (gland, drug, etc.)

Question 18

What will the patient need if the pituitary or adrenal glands are removed?

Answer 18

Cortisol replacement for LIFE!

Question 19

What happens with low cortisol?

Answer 19

Low BP, low sugar levels, and increased inflammation.

Question 20

What are some potential causes of low cortisol?

Answer 20

Autoimmune, cancer, infection, trauma, insufficient ACTH or suddenly stopping steroid therapy

Question 21

Long-term low cortisol = ___ disease.

Answer 21

Addison’s.

Question 22

What is the primary function of Aldosterone?

Answer 22

Fluid balance (sodium reabsorption/potassium excretion)

Question 23

Aldosterone - decreases/increases potassium?
Sodium level decreases/increases?
Blood pressure increases/decreases?
Blood volume increases/decreases?

Answer 23

Potassium goes down, sodium goes up, BP goes up and blood volume goes up.

Question 24

With Aldosterone excess, vitals go up. T/F?

Answer 24

True!

Question 25

How do we treat aldosterone excess?

Answer 25

Identify and eliminate cause, might give meds like florinef or spironolactone/eplerenone, and BP meds.