(N2) exam blueprint endocrine

What are the effects of aging on metabolism?

Metabolism slows down

Decreased hormone production
Higher risk of type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism

What can nurses do during assessment?

Palpate for tenderness, distention, softness
Cannot diagnose conditions or say if an organ is enlarged

What hormones does the thyroid secrete & what do they do?

T3 (triiodothyronine) & T4 (thyroxine) – regulate metabolism
Calcitonin – lowers blood calcium

When is growth hormone given & why?

✧ Given for growth hormone deficiency
✧ Helps promote growth in children and metabolism in adults

What are gonadocorticoids?

✧ Sex hormones (mostly androgens) produced by adrenal glands
✧ Affect puberty, body hair, libido

What does the pancreas do? (Endocrine vs. Exocrine)

✧ Endocrine – secretes insulin & glucagon
✧ Exocrine – secretes digestive enzymes

What are hot vs. cold spots on thyroid scans?

✧ Hot spots – areas that take up more iodine (usually non-cancerous)
✧ Cold spots – low uptake, may indicate cancer

Cortisol HORMONE:

Stress response, raises blood sugar

TSH HORMONE:

Stimulates thyroid to release T3 & T4

T3/T4 HORMONE:

Regulate metabolism

Aldosterone HORMONE:

Regulates sodium & water

Parathyroid hormone (PTH):

Raises blood calcium

Symptoms of hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism?

Hypo – weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, slow HR
Hyper – weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, fast HR

What is tetany and how is it treated?

Muscle spasms due to low calcium
Treated with calcium gluconate or calcium supplements

Goiter complications?

Trouble breathing/swallowing
Can compress trachea or esophagus
Can lead to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

Diabetes insipidus: symptoms & nursing care?

Excessive urination, thirst, dehydration
Monitor I&Os, daily weight, replace fluids

Water deprivation test confirms what?

Diagnoses diabetes insipidus

Why are dietary consults important?

Ensures proper nutrition
Customizes meal plans for conditions like diabetes or renal disease

Cushing’s causes and symptoms

too much cortisol → moon face, buffalo hump

Addison’s: causes & symptoms?

too little cortisol → fatigue, hypotension,weight loss, skin changes

Why check elderly support systems?

Ensure safe medication use & meal prep
Reduce fall risk & complications from poor diet

Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) measures what?

Average blood glucose over 2–3 months

what causes type 1 diabetes?

autoimmune, no insulin

what causes type 2 diabetes?

insulin resistance

complications of diabetes?

neuropathy, kidney disease

balanced diet for patients who have diabetes?

low protein if renal issues

How does exercise affect diabetes?

Lowers blood sugar
Increases insulin sensitivity
Monitor before & after workouts

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

Fruity breath, Kussmaul breathing, nausea, dehydration, confusion

Rapid-acting insulin peak time

1–2 hrs

regular insulin peak time

2–4 hrs

NPH insulin peak time

4–12 hrs

long-acting insulin peak time

does not have a significant peak, providing a steady release of insulin.

Effects on vessels long-term in diabetes?

Large vessels: atherosclerosis, heart disease
Small vessels: retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy

What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemia (HHS)?

Extremely high blood sugar without ketones
Mostly in Type 2 diabetes
Leads to severe dehydration & confusion ♥

Why dehydration in hyperglycemia/DKA?

Sugar pulls water out of cells → pee a lot → volume loss

Interventions for unstable blood sugars (esp. low)?

Give juice or glucose tab for lows
Monitor glucose closely
Adjust insulin, small frequent meals

Diabetic education: what to teach about neuropathy?

Check feet daily
Wear proper shoes
Report numbness, tingling, wounds

Risk factors for diabetes?

Family history, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high BP, age 45+

Why teach dietary education with cultural differences?

Respect food preferences
Helps with adherence & trust

Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes?

Type 1: no insulin, younger onset
Type 2: insulin resistance, later onset, often lifestyle-related

Herpes treatment?

Antivirals like acyclovir
No cure, just symptom management

Candida: symptoms & treatment?

Candida – thick white discharge, itching → antifungals like fluconazole

Trichomonas: symptoms & treatment?

Trichomonas – green/yellow discharge, foul smell → metronidazole

Complications of STIs?

Infertility, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, transmission to baby

Post-op care for reproductive surgery?

Monitor for bleeding, infection
Manage pain, check vitals, support emotional needs

What is dyspareunia?

Painful intercourse
Causes: dryness, infection, trauma, hormone issues

What is continuous bladder irrigation (CBI)?

Flushes bladder after prostate surgery
Prevents blood clots from blocking catheter

BPH symptoms

BPH – weak stream, dribbling, urgency

Prostate Cancer: symptoms?

Cancer – same as BPH but may include pain & blood in urine

What is priapism?

Painful erection lasting >4 hours
Medical emergency

What is Peyronie’s disease?

Curved penis due to fibrous plaque
Can cause pain and ED

What is phimosis?

Foreskin can’t be pulled back over penis head
May need circumcision

What is paraphimosis?

Foreskin stuck behind glans, cuts off circulation
Medical emergency