Pituitary
Priority nursing interventions for a patient with diabetes insipidus
Monitor urine output and daily weight
What labs should the nurse monitor to evaluate thyroid hormone replacement therapy?
Monitor TSH, T3, and T4 levels regularly.
Continued from Thyroid:
What drugs are used to inhibit synthesis of thyroid hormone in Graves’ disease?
Propylthiouracil (PTU) and Methimazole.
Which adrenal disorder is characterized by hyposecretion of cortisol and aldosterone?
Addison’s disease.
What patient teaching should be given for prednisone use?
Take the drug with food to prevent gastric irritation.
Restrict fluids and administer demeclocycline or tolvaptan as ordered (Intervention for...)
Interventions to help manage SIADH
What is essential patient teaching for levothyroxine administration?
Take the medication on an empty stomach 30–60 minutes before breakfast.
What labs should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving calcitriol for hypoparathyroidism?
Monitor serum calcium and phosphorus levels.
What physical findings are typical in Cushing’s syndrome?
Moon face, buffalo hump, and central obesity.
What nursing teaching prevents adrenal crisis when discontinuing steroid therapy?
Corticosteroid therapy must be tapered gradually.
Most common cause of acromegaly due to excess growth hormone secretion?
Pituitary adenoma.
What clinical cues indicate hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis?
Tachycardia, weight loss, and heat intolerance.
What clinical manifestations suggest hypocalcemia in hypoparathyroidism?
Tingling, twitching, and muscle spasms.
What is the most common cause of secondary adrenocortical insufficiency?
Abrupt discontinuation of steroids.
What medication replaces mineralocorticoid activity in Addison’s disease?
Fludrocortisone.
Medication used to replace growth hormone in hypopituitarism.
Somatropin
What assessment findings indicate myxedema coma in a hypothyroid patient?
Hypothermia, bradycardia, and altered mental status.
What nursing education helps prevent complications from hyperparathyroidism-related hypercalcemia?
Encourage ambulation and increase fluid intake.
What clinical cues indicate an Addisonian crisis?
Severe hypotension, hypoglycemia, and vascular collapse.
What life-threatening complication occurs in untreated hypothyroidism, often triggered by illness or sedatives?
Myxedema Coma
What postoperative teaching should be provided after a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy?
Avoid blowing the nose, bending, or straining post-surgery.
What are nursing interventions for thyroid storm?
Administer beta blockers, antithyroid drugs, and provide cooling measures.
What is the mechanism of action for calcitriol in treating hypocalcemia?
Calcitriol promotes calcium absorption from the GI tract.
What ongoing assessments are needed for a patient receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy?
Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, and weight.
What lab pattern is seen in primary hypothyroidism?
High TSH, Low T4 and T3