Chapter 38: endocrine system function and assessment

Question 1

thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer 1

stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormone

Question 2

prolactin

Answer 2

stimulates milk production in the mammary glands in females
- in males, it may make the testes more sensitive to LH

Question 3

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer 3

• stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete corticosteroids

Question 4

growth hormone (somatotropin)

Answer 4

• acts on the entire body to promote protein synthesis, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and bone and skeletal muscle growth

Question 5

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 5

• a gonadotropin stimulates ovulation and estrogen and progesterone synthesis in females and the secretion of testosterone by the testes in males

Question 6

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 6

• one of the gonadotropins
• stimulates the production of eggs in the ovaries of females and sperm in the testes of males

Question 7

the nerve fibers that form the posterior pituitary originate in the…

Answer 7

hypothalamus

Question 8

the hypothalamic neurons synthesize…

Answer 8

hormones
- they send down to the posterior pituitary to be stored

Question 9

the posterior pituitary holds ______ until stimulated by the ____ to release them

Answer 9

hormones
nervous system

Question 10

oxytocin

Answer 10

stimulates contraction of the uterus during childbirth
- it also triggers the release of milk from the breasts during lactation

Question 11

antidiuretic hormone (ADH) —> also called “vasopressin”

Answer 11

• acts on the kidneys to reduce urine volume and prevent dehydration

Question 13

thyroid tissue is made of tiny sacs called

Answer 13

thyroid follicles

Question 14

each thyroid follicle is filled with a thick fluid called

Answer 14

thyroid colloid

Question 15

the cells lining thyroid follicles secrete two main thyroid hormones

Answer 15

t3 (triiodothyronine)
t4 (thyroxine)

Question 16

unlike other glands, the thyroid gland can…

Answer 16

store the hormones for later

Question 17

the thyroid gland resides in the ___, just below the ____, where it is wrapped around the ___ and ____ portions of the ____.

Answer 17

neck
trachea
anterior; lateral
trachea

Question 18

the parathyroid glands are embedded in the posterior corners of the lobes of the

Answer 18

thyroid

Question 19

most people have ___ parathyroid glands, but the number and locations may vary

Answer 19

4

Question 20

pth inhibits ____ while stimulating the breakdown of ____, causing ____ and ____ to move out of bone and into the blood

Answer 20

new bone formation
old bone
calcium & phosphate

Question 21

PTH encourages the ____ to reabsorb calcium

Answer 21

kidneys
- this blocks its excretion into the urine while promoting the secretion of phosphate
- PTH also prompts the kidneys to activate vitamin D, necessary for intestinal absorption of calcium

Question 22

after its activation by the _____, vitamin D allows the intestines to asorb calcium from food

Answer 22

kidneys
- the calcium is transported through intestinal cells and into the blood

Question 23

the adrenal medulla contains ___ that act as part of the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 23

• chromaffin cells

Question 24

catecholamines

Answer 24

• prepare the body for physical activity by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, stimulating circulation to the muscles, and dilating the bronchioles to maximize blood flow to the areas needed for physical acvitiy
• they also inhibit digestion and urinary production
• boost glucose levels by breaking down glycogen into glucose (glycogenollysis) and converting fatty acids and amino acids into glucose (gluconeogenesis)

Question 25

adrenal cortex

Answer 25

- consists of 3 layers of glandular tissue - each layer secretes a different corticosteroid

Question 26

zona glomerulosa

Answer 26

- outermost layer of glandular tissue in the adrenal cortex - secretes mineralocorticoids

Question 27

zona fasciculata

Answer 27

- the middle layer of glandular tissue in the adrenal cortex - secretes glucocorticoids

Question 28

zona reticularis

Answer 28

- the innermost layer of glandular tissue in the adrenal cortex - secretes sex steroids

Question 29

pancreatic islets/islets of Langerhans

Answer 29

clusters of endocrine cells interspersed w/ the exocrine cells - contain several types of cells: main ones are alpha, beta, and delta

Question 30

steps of glucose conversion within the body

Answer 30

1. after eating, blood glucose levels rise as glucose flows from the digestive tract into the bloodstream 2. high glucose levels stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete insulin 3. insulin triggers two reactions: it stimulates the cells to take up more glucoseand it causes the liver to take up glucose and store it as glycogen. the combined result is that glucose levels return to normal levels 4. when blood glucose levels drop below a certain point (such as after skipping a meal) the alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon into the blood 5. glucagon stimulates the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose, which it then releases into the bloodstream. this causes blood glucose levels to rise.

Question 31

the aging endocrine system leads to

Answer 31

- decrease in growth hormone - decrease in TSH and thyroid hormone - decrease in insulin secretion

Question 32

decrease in growth hormone leads to decrease in

Answer 32

muscle mass increase in fat storage

Question 33

decrease in TSH and thyroid hormone can lead to

Answer 33

decrease in basal metabolic rate - leads to a decrease in energy

Question 34

decrease in insulin secretion

Answer 34

- decrease in glucose tolerance (but not diabetes)

Question 35

nursing assessment: health history

Answer 35

- neuromuscular - weight change - excessive thirst or urination - heat or cold intolerance - mood and memory - family history

Question 36

physical assessment

Answer 36

- vital signs - weight - skin changes - tremor - affect - exophthalmos - fat pads - thyroid size

Question 37

common laboratory tests

Answer 37

- thyroid tests - parathyroid tests

Question 38

thyroid tests

Answer 38

- thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) - triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)

Question 39

parathyroid tests

Answer 39

- parathyroid hormone (PTH) - calcium - phosphorus

Question 40

pituitary tests

Answer 40

- growth hormone (GH) - antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - urine specific gravity - adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 41

adrenal tests

Answer 41

- cortisol - 24 hour urine for vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)

Question 42

pancreatic function tests (diabetes)

Answer 42

- fasting blood glucose - oral glucose tolerance - glycosylated hemoglobin