Endocrine System Flashcards
(20 cards)
What drug treats severe hypoglycemia?
glucagon
How does glucagon work to treat severe hypoglycemia?
Glucagon raises blood glucose levels.
Insulin lowers blood glucose levels. Glucagon is the opposite effect of insulin.
What is the main adverse effect of taking glucagon?
Vomiting
Nausea
When would glucagon be given?
When a diabetic is experiencing severe hypoglycemia.
Insulin overdose
When glucagon is administered, what is important to do?
Turn the client on their side after administration of glucagon to prevent aspiration if they vomit.
What does glucagon interact with?
Warfarin
What medication would be prescribed to treat hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine belongs to what drug class?
Thyroid replacement
How does levothyroxine work?
Levothyroxine is synthetic T4 and is converted to T3 to treat hypothyroidism
What is an adverse effect of taking levothyroxine?
Hyperthyroidism
What are some manifestations of hyperthyroidism?
What should a client monitor and report right away?
Anxiety
Insomnia
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Once someone’s thyroid levels increase, can a patient stop taking levothyroxine?
No, levothyroxine is a lifelong treatment.
What drug treats hyperthyroidism?
PTU or propylthiouracil
Who should not take levothyroxine?
Patient with hx of myocardial infarction
PTU belongs to what drug class?
Antithyroid
How does PTU work?
Antithyroid medication block iodine from being integrated into tyrosine, which then blocks the conversion of T4 into T3.
Name some adverse effects of PTU?
Hypothyroidism
What are some signs of hypothyroidism?
Depression
Weight gain
Edema
Drowsiness
Bradycardia
PTU should be used with caution in patients with what?
Bone marrow suppression. They are more susceptible to infections.
PTU can cause agranulocytosis, which is a decrease in some immune cells
What does PTU treat?
Hyperthyroidism
Graves disease
