Endocrine Disease

Studying Endocrine Disease often feels overwhelming to nursing students. The key to
mastering this body system is to know the hormones, and to remember that the endocrine
diseases come in pairs. There is one set of symptoms for hyper function, which is when too
much hormone is secreted. Then there is an opposite set of symptoms for hypo function,
when not enough hormone is secreted.
The Pituitary Gland is called the master gland of the body because it sends out hormones to
target organs, telling them to start secreting the target organs hormone. Most of the names of
these hormones contain the word stimulating. That will remind you that their function is to turn
on production and secretion of hormones in the receptor gland, thus making that gland do its job
in the body.
The Posterior Pituitary secretes only two hormones: Antidiuretic (ADH) and Oxytocin. All other
pituitary hormones are secreted by the Anterior Pituitary Gland. The Anterior Pituitary hormones
are the ones that have a stimulating effect on the receptor glands.
A great way to study Endocrine diseases is to start with two columns: one for hyper function
and one for hypo function. On the side of your columns, write out each receptor gland (i.e.
pancreas, thyroid, etc). Then start filling out your chart by listing the symptoms, treatment, and
nursing care for each gland when it is hyper and hypo function. Also make sure to write out any
emergency situations that can arise from too much (or too little) secretion of a hormone (i.e.
Thyroid storm, Addisonian Crisis).
Once you get it all organized in a chart, youll see how easy it can be to learn Endocrine
disorders. And youll start to notice the patterns of symptoms in each pair of disorders, which
will make it easier to remember on test day!
If you want some more practice in understanding Endocrine disorders, make sure you also
review the Endocrine Case Studies Study Guide. Were not posting the answers, though,
because after you study Endocrine diseases this way, youll be smart enough to figure out the
Case Study answers on your own! Have fun!

Q&A Endocrine Study Guide

Use this simple Q&A page over the endocrine system to test your knowledge
and prepare for up comming tests. Feel free to print, copy, share, and use this
study guide in any way!

Remember: Adrenal HYPO function = addisons: Adrenal HYPER

function=Cushings: Thyroid HYPER function=Graves

The biggest tip I can give with learning endocrine D/Os is to focus on the
pituitary hormones. What does each hormone do? Once you know this you can
quickly determine what the results of HYPER or HYPO function will be. ie. . .
ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol. What does cortisol do? think
increased GLUCOSE, decreased IMMUNITY, decreased INFLAMMATION. So, with
HYPER function of the Adrenals we will have even more glucose, less immunity,
and less inflammation. . . what would someone like this look like? This
is Cushings. The opposite will lead to Addisons. So think of how each gland
interrelates, then simply think of what each hormone does. From there it
becomes much easier to figure out what the resulting assessment findings will
uncover.
HORMONE

GLAND

UNDER PRODUCTION SYNDROME

OVER PRODUCTION SYNDROME

GH

anterior
pituitary

ADH

posterior
pituitary

diabetes insipidus

SIADH

T3,T4

thyroid

myxedema coma

graves

PTH

parathyroid

hyperparathyroid

hypoparathyroid

glucocorticoids:
cortisol

adrenal

addisons

cushings

Insulin

pancreas

diabetes mellitus

acromegaly

What are the two parts of the pituitary gland?

anterior and posterior

Name the 8 major endocrine glands:

pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, thymus, pineal,

gonads
What regulates the release of anterior pituitary hormones?

hypothalamus
Name the 6 major hormones produced by the pituitary gland:

GH (growth hormone), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), ACTH

9adrenocorticotropic hormone), FSH, LH, Prolactin

What hormones are produced and released by the thyroid?

T3, T4, Thyrocalcitonin

What is the purpose of T3 and T4?

regulate metabolism

What role does the pituitary play in metabolism?

production and release of TSH when stimulated by the

hypothalamus.
What does thyrocalcitonon do?

lowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone resorption

What does the parathyroid do?

produce PTH (parathyroid hormone) which raises blood Ca levels

Where are the adrenal glands located?

on top of the kidneys

What are the two endocrine tissues within the adrenal glands?

adrenal medula and adrenal cortex

Name the two major hormones secreted by the adrenal medula and their
functions:

The adrenal medula secretes two catecholamines: epinephrine, and

norepinephrine. Epinephrine prepares the body for the fight or flight
response by converting glycogen to glucose and increasing HR.

Norepinephrine produces extensive vasoconstriction.

What stimulates the adrenal cortex?

ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone from the anterior pituitary gland

What does ACTH stimulate the adrenal cortex to produce?

corticosteroids
Name the 3 types of corticosteroids:

mineralcorticoids: aldersteron

glucocorticoids: cortisol
adrenal sex hormones: androgens & estrogen

What does cortisol do and how?

increase blood glucose by stimulating gluconeogensis, decrease

inflammatory response, decrease immune response

Name 3 types of cells in the pancreas/where are they located?

Alpha, Beta, Delta . . . islets of Langerhans

What does each cell type secrete and what is the purpose?

Alpha . . . glucagon . . . increase glucose via gluconeogensis

Beta . . . insulin . . . regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate
metabolism
Delta . . . somatostatin . . . inhibitory hormone

What hormones will be affected with anterior pituitary dysfunction?

ACTH, GH, LH, FSH, PRL, TSH

What assessment findings are common in anterior hypopituitarism?

mainly affects thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal function. Atrophy of all

endocrine glands, hair loss, impotence, amenorrhea, hypoglycemia

Anterior hyperpituitarism often results in altered ACTH or GH secretion;
what assessment findings will you see with hyper secretion of these
hormones?

coarse features, thick heel pads, thick tongue, decreased libido,

amenhorrhea, impotence, acromegaly

What hormone is undersecreted with Diabetes Insipidus? What gland is
affected?

ADH (vasopressin) from the posterior pituitary

Why does diabetes insipidus result in excess urine production?

ADH promotes resorption of fluid in distal tubules.

Without resorption massive amounts of urine are excreted.

With SIADH what is the result of over secretion of ADH?

excessive water conservation

SIADH and diabetes insipidus are the result of a malfunction of what

endocrine gland?

posterior pituitary
Hyperthyroidism is also known as?

Graves Disease
What is the main function of the thyroid?

metabolism

What are the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism (Graves)

responsiveness to catecholimes

increase metabolism
increased heat

weight change
increased appetite

insomnia
nervousness

bruit heard over thyroid

warm, sweaty skin

exopthalmus
goiter

increase systolic BP
tremor

What can cause thyroid storm?

uncontrolled hyperthyroid, surgery, infection

Name 2 immediate interventions for a client experiencing thyroid storm:

admin Tylenol, provide cooling blanket

Why should you NEVER admin aspirin to a client in thyroid storm?

in can increase thyroid hormone levels

What will be the effect of Ca levels with hyperthyroidism?

hypocalcemia

What will be the effect of Ca levels with hypothyroidism?

hypercalcemia due to a decrease in Thyrocalcitonin

What are the common assessment finding with hypothyroidism?

lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, CHF, dry skin, Brady,

constipation, weight gain

What is the cause of myxedema coma?

persistently low thyroid production

What assessment findings would you see with myxedema coma?

hypotension, hypotermia, hypoglycemia, brady

What will be the effect on serum Ca levels in hyperparathyroid?

increased Ca and bone demineralization

What are common assessment findings of hyperparathyroidism?

fatigue, wt loss, fractures, HTN, joint pain, polyuria, renal calculi . . .

think increased Ca
What two tests will be positive with hypoparathyroidism?

chvotsek and Trousseaus

What is a KEY sign of hypoparathyroidism and why?

carpopedal spams indicate neuromuscular irritability sign of

decreased Ca levels
What are the classic signs of adrenal hyperfunction?

buffalo hump, moon face, fatigue, muscle weakness, hyperglycemia

What is the cause of hyperglycemia in adrenal hyperfunction?

adrenal cortex secrets cortisol which increases blood glucose by

stimulating gluconeogensis
What is adrenal hyperfunction called?

Cushings Syndrome
What is adrenal hypofunction called?

Addisons Disease
Name the symptoms of Addisons disease:

hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, GI disturbances, hyperpigmentation

due to decreased secretion of cortisol