Endocrine Supplemental Lecture – Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key medications, conditions, monitoring parameters, and safety considerations from the Endocrine Supplemental lecture.

Insulin glulisine (Apidra)

Rapid-acting prandial insulin; clarify orders when BG is low (e.g., 80 mg/dL) because of severe hypoglycemia risk.

Insulin glargine (Lantus)

Long-acting basal insulin with no pronounced peak; not used for sliding-scale corrections.

Glyburide

Second-generation sulfonylurea; prolonged hypoglycemia risk—generally avoided in older adults.

Metformin

Biguanide that lowers hepatic glucose output; use cautiously in patients >80 yr or with renal impairment due to lactic acidosis risk.

Semaglutide (Ozempic)

GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 DM; promotes weight loss with low hypoglycemia risk.

Sitagliptin (Januvia)

DPP-4 inhibitor that enhances endogenous incretin effect; weight-neutral and low hypoglycemia potential.

Empagliflozin (Jardiance)

SGLT2 inhibitor causing renal glucose excretion; offers CV benefits but may cause dehydration and UTIs.

Glipizide

Sulfonylurea that triggers insulin release; high hypoglycemia potential—ensure meal intake after dosing.

Repaglinide

Meglitinide class oral agent; rapid insulin burst before meals, similar hypoglycemia risk to sulfonylureas.

Hypoglycemia-prone drugs

Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide) and meglitinides (repaglinide) carry the highest risk for low blood glucose.

Regular insulin IV (Humulin R / Novolin R)

Only insulin given IV; first-line for DKA or hyperglycemic crisis—monitor BG hourly and keep D50 available.

50 % Dextrose (D50)

Hypertonic glucose used as immediate reversal for insulin-induced hypoglycemia; must be on the MAR when IV insulin is infusing.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Acute complication of type 1 DM; treated with IV regular insulin, isotonic fluids, and electrolyte (K⁺) replacement.

Potassium level monitoring with insulin

Both IV and rapid-acting insulins shift K⁺ into cells—verify serum K⁺ before administration to prevent hypokalemia.

Digoxin and potassium

Hypokalemia increases digoxin toxicity; always check K⁺ level prior to giving digoxin.

Furosemide

Loop diuretic causing potassium loss; serum K⁺ must be assessed before IV dosing.

Diabetes insipidus (DI)

ADH deficiency leading to polyuria, polydipsia, low urine specific gravity; often follows brain lesions or surgery.

Desmopressin (DDAVP)

Synthetic ADH analog used to treat central DI; decreases urine output and increases urine specific gravity.

Urine specific gravity

Measure of urine concentration; low in DI (<1.005) and rises toward normal when desmopressin is effective.

Graves disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism requiring T3/T4 monitoring; treated with antithyroid drugs like methimazole.

Methimazole

Antithyroid medication that blocks thyroid hormone synthesis; therapeutic effect includes reduced ocular discomfort/tachycardia.

T3/T4 levels

Thyroid hormones measured to evaluate and adjust therapy in hyper- or hypothyroidism.