Pumping Pituitary
This synthetic form of ADH is used to treat diabetes insipidus by controlling polydipsia, polyuria, and dehydration.
What is desmopressin (DDAVP)?
What class of drugs, such as prednisone, can cause an increased risk of infection and suppress the body's immune response with long-term use?
What are glucocorticoids?
The nurse instructs a patient taking levothyroxine (Synthroid) to take the medication at this time relative to meals to ensure consistent absorption.
What is on an empty stomach, usually in the morning?
This medical emergency is caused by severe hypothyroidism, characterized by lethargy, stupor, and hypothermia.
What is myxedema coma?
When administering corticosteroids, the nurse recognizes that this simple intervention can help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset.
What is administering the medication with food?
Long-term somatropin therapy for a pediatric patient requires careful monitoring for this common endocrine side effect.
What is hyperglycemia?
Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, this potent glucocorticoid is often used for short-term treatment of severe inflammation, such as in an asthma exacerbation.
What is methylprednisolone?
This antithyroid drug carries a black box warning for potentially fatal hepatotoxicity, and the nurse should monitor the patient's liver function tests.
What is propylthiouracil (PTU)?
This life-threatening condition is an extreme manifestation of hyperthyroidism, characterized by high fever, severe tachycardia, and altered mental status.
What is a thyroid storm or thyroid crisis?
The priority nursing diagnosis for a patient on desmopressin (DDAVP) is this, due to the drug's antidiuretic effect.
What is excess fluid volume?
The nurse is administering octreotide (Sandostatin) to a patient with acromegaly and monitors for this therapeutic effect.
What is a decrease in growth hormone (GH) levels?
A nurse teaches a patient receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy to take this medication with food to help prevent this common side effect.
What is gastrointestinal upset or gastric ulcers?
A patient on antithyroid medication should be taught to avoid foods high in this element, which is necessary for thyroid hormone production.
What is iodine?
The nursing student recognizes that a patient with Cushing's Syndrome is at risk for this potentially life-threatening complication related to glucocorticoid excess.
What is an infection or hypertension?
A nurse monitors for the therapeutic effect of levothyroxine by assessing for a decrease in these symptoms.
What are bradycardia, weight gain, fatigue, and cold intolerance?
Before initiating pituitary hormone replacement therapy, the nurse must assess for contraindications, such as the presence of closed epiphyses in a pediatric patient receiving this drug.
What is somatropin?
For a patient with Addison's disease, fludrocortisone is a replacement drug for this class of adrenal hormones.
What are mineralocorticoids?
The nurse monitors a patient taking this class of drugs for signs of agranulocytosis, such as fever or sore throat.
What are thioamide antithyroid drugs (e.g., PTU or methimazole)?
A life-threatening complication of uncontrolled diabetes insipidus treated with desmopressin can cause this dangerous electrolyte imbalance.
What is severe hyponatremia?
Before administering propylthiouracil (PTU), the nurse must be prepared to monitor this lab value to assess for the drug's most serious side effect.
What is the complete blood count (CBC), specifically the white blood cell (WBC) count?
This medication is used to inhibit the release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary and is indicated for patients with prolactin-secreting tumors.
What is bromocriptine?
Abruptly stopping long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause this life-threatening adrenal crisis.
What is an Addisonian crisis or adrenal insufficiency?
A pregnant patient is typically prescribed this antithyroid medication during the first trimester to minimize teratogenic effects.
What is propylthiouracil (PTU)?
This emergency is precipitated by acute adrenal insufficiency, with signs including severe hypotension, hypoglycemia, and hyperkalemia.
What is an Addisonian crisis?
For a patient being discharged on long-term steroid therapy, the nurse includes teaching on the importance of carrying this item in case of an emergency.
What is a medical alert bracelet?