Endocrine Regulation & Action
Most hormone levels in the body are regulated by a mechanism where high levels of a hormone inhibit its further secretion. This is known as what?
Negative feedback loop
When the body has enough hormone, it tells itself to stop making more.
👉 Like a thermostat—when it’s warm enough, the heater turns off.
A patient’s ABG results are pH: 7.30, PaCO2: 35, and HCO3: 20. How should the nurse interpret this?
Uncompensated Metabolic Acidosis
➡️ pH is low = acidosis
➡️ HCO₃ is low = metabolic cause
➡️ CO₂ normal = no compensation yet
What is the primary indicator used to measure how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute to assess kidney function?
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
➡️ Measures how well kidneys filter blood
👉 Lower GFR = worse kidney function
Celiac disease involves a T-cell–mediated hypersensitivity to gliadin, which specifically causes the atrophy of which structure?
Intestinal villi
Gluten damages villi
👉 Villi absorb nutrients → damage = malabsorption
Protruding, staring eyes, known as exophthalmos, is a classic clinical manifestation of which endocrine disorder?
Graves’ disease (Hyperthyroidism)
tissues swell behind eyes
👉 Causes bulging eyes (exophthalmos)
The posterior pituitary gland does not produce hormones but instead stores and releases which two substances produced by the hypothalamus?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin
The posterior pituitary doesn’t make hormones, it just stores and releases them.
👉 The hypothalamus makes ADH (water balance) and oxytocin (labor/milk release)
Prolonged vomiting leads to the loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and chloride ions. This shift often results in which acid-base imbalance?
Metabolic alkalosis
Vomiting = losing stomach acid (HCl)
👉 Less acid = body becomes alkaline
Which condition is characterized by massive proteinuria, lipiduria, and generalized edema due to increased glomerular permeability?
Nephrotic Syndrome
Kidneys become leaky
👉 Protein spills into urine → causes:
A nurse noting dark, tarry stools in a patient's chart would document this finding as what?
Melena
Usually from upper GI bleeding
Which condition is characterized by a deficit of corticosteroids, resulting in bronze-colored skin and hypoglycemia?
Addison’s disease
Low cortisol =
In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, the body may still produce insulin, but the physiological effect is diminished due to which factor?
Loss of cell receptor sensitivity (insulin resistance)
In Type 2 diabetes, insulin is there—but the cells don’t respond to it well.
👉 Think: insulin is “knocking,” but the door (cell receptor) isn’t opening.
(SATA): Which of the following are clinical manifestations of Metabolic Acidosis?
A, B, D
(SATA): A patient is diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Failure. The nurse expects to find which of the following "Three As"?
A, B, D
(3 A’s of renal failure)
Which inflammatory bowel condition is characterized by "skip lesions" and can affect any part of the digestive tract?
Crohn’s Disease
“Skip lesions” = patchy inflammation
(SATA): Which of the following are clinical manifestations of Cushing Syndrome?
A, B, D
(SATA): During the General Adaptation Syndrome, which of the following occur as part of the body's systemic response to stress?
A, B, D
👉 Stress = hormones ↑ + blood sugar ↑
The kidneys regulate acid-base balance through a buffering system that primarily involves which action?
Elimination of hydrogen ions and conservation of bicarbonate
Kidneys:
👉 Balance = remove acid + keep base
In Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), functional renal tissue is replaced by what, leading to a decreased GFR?
Fluid-filled cysts
Cysts replace normal kidney tissue
👉 Less working tissue = ↓ GFR
(SATA): A nurse is assessing a patient with Anorexia Nervosa. Which findings are characteristic of this disorder?
A, B, C
A patient presents with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and bradycardia. The nurse suspects which condition?
Hypothyroidism
Everything slows down:
A patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) is likely to exhibit which laboratory finding?
Hyponatremia (serum sodium <135 mEq/L) due to excessive water retention
Too much ADH = water retention
👉 Water dilutes sodium → low sodium levels
A patient has a pH of 7.31, PaCO2 of 46, and HCO3 of 35. The nurse identifies this as:
Partially Compensated Respiratory Acidosis
➡️ pH low → acidosis
➡️ CO₂ high → respiratory cause
➡️ HCO₃ high → kidneys trying to fix it
👉 Body is trying to compensate, but not normal yet
When renal perfusion is low, the kidneys release renin, which eventually leads to the secretion of aldosterone. What is the primary goal of this system?
To increase blood pressure by reabsorbing sodium and water
Low blood flow → kidneys release renin
👉 Leads to:
Why can the inflammatory process and destructive enzymes of pancreatitis easily spread to surrounding tissues?
The pancreas lacks a fibrous capsule
Pancreas enzymes leak out easily
👉 No barrier → inflammation spreads fast
Following a thyroidectomy, a patient experiences muscle cramps and tingling in the extremities. This is likely due to the accidental removal of the parathyroid glands, leading to what electrolyte imbalance?
Hypocalcemia
Parathyroid glands control calcium
👉 If removed → low calcium