Drugs Acting on the Endocrine System
Somatropin Flashcards
Q: What drug class does somatropin belong to?
A: Anterior pituitary hormone; Growth Hormone (GH) agonist.
Q: What is somatropin?
A: A synthetic equivalent of human growth hormone produced via recombinant DNA technology.
Q: How does somatropin work?
A: It binds to GH receptors on target tissues to replace human GH and stimulate growth.
Q: What does somatropin stimulate in the body?
A: Linear skeletal growth, growth of internal organs, protein synthesis, and lipolysis.
Q: What pediatric conditions is somatropin used to treat?
A: Growth failure due to GH deficiency, chronic renal failure, small for gestational age, Turner syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome.
Q: What adult conditions can somatropin treat?
A: Adult GH deficiency, AIDS-related wasting, and short bowel syndrome.
Q: What are common side effects of somatropin?
A: Injection-site pain or reactions, headache, edema, arthralgia, and myalgia.
Q: What serious metabolic effect can somatropin cause?
A: Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia).
Q: What endocrine complications can occur with somatropin?
A: Hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism.
Q: What immune-related issue can develop with somatropin therapy?
A: Development of GH-inactivating antibodies.
Q: What serious gastrointestinal complication can occur with somatropin?
A: Pancreatitis.
Q: How do glucocorticoids interact with somatropin?
A: They may counteract its growth-promoting effects.
Q: Why should caution be used with drugs that use the cytochrome P450 system?
A: Somatropin is metabolized in the liver and may interact with P450-metabolized drugs.
Q: What should patients be taught about somatropin administration?
A: Proper storage, preparation, and rotating injection sites.
Q: Why should children on somatropin be monitored psychologically?
A: Sudden growth changes may cause body image issues or psychological trauma.
Q: What is an absolute contraindication for somatropin?
A: Closed epiphyses (growth plates).
Q: Why is active malignancy a contraindication for somatropin?
A: It may promote tumor growth.
Q: What growth parameters should nurses monitor with somatropin?
A: Height and weight.
Q: What lab values should be monitored with somatropin?
A: Blood glucose levels, thyroid function tests, and liver function tests.
Desmopressin (DDAVP, Stimate) Flashcards
Q: What drug class is desmopressin?
A: Posterior pituitary hormone; synthetic antidiuretic hormone (ADH) analog.
Q: How does desmopressin work?
A: It increases kidney tubular permeability to promote water reabsorption and decrease urine formation.
Q: What clotting factor does desmopressin increase?
A: Factor VIII.
Q: What is desmopressin primarily used to treat?
A: Neurogenic diabetes insipidus.
Q: What pediatric urinary condition is treated with desmopressin?
A: Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting).
Q: What adult urinary condition is treated with desmopressin?
A: Nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria.
Q: What bleeding disorders can desmopressin treat?
A: Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
Q: What are common side effects of desmopressin?
A: Headache, dry mouth, nausea, facial flushing, fluid retention, slight increase in blood pressure, and injection-site reactions.
Q: What is the major serious adverse effect of desmopressin?
A: Water intoxication (dilutional hyponatremia).
Q: Which medications increase the antidiuretic effects of desmopressin?
A: Carbamazepine and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Q: How does alcohol interact with desmopressin?
A: It interacts and may alter its effects.
Q: What special consideration applies to nasal desmopressin?
A: Proper administration technique and regular evaluation of nasal mucosa in older adults.
Q: Why must children have adult supervision when taking desmopressin?
A: To ensure adherence to the treatment protocol.
Q: What is a contraindication for desmopressin?
A: Severe renal dysfunction.
Q: In which patients should desmopressin be used cautiously?
A: Those with vascular disease, asthma, or hyponatremia.
Q: What must nurses strictly monitor with desmopressin?
A: Intake and output (I&O) and daily weights.
Q: Which electrolyte is most important to monitor with desmopressin?
A: Sodium.
Q: What are signs of water intoxication?
A: Confusion, shortness of breath, altered mental status, seizures, and coma.
Vasopressin (Vasostrict) Flashcards
Q: What drug class is vasopressin?
A: Posterior pituitary hormone; synthetic antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Q: What are the three main actions of vasopressin?
A: Antidiuretic, hemostatic, and vasopressor.
Q: How does vasopressin increase blood pressure?
A: It strongly stimulates contraction of blood vessels (vasoconstriction).
Q: What is vasopressin primarily used for in critical care?
A: To increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock.
Q: When is vasopressin given in hypotension?
A: When patients remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
Q: What serious fluid-related complication can vasopressin cause?
A: Water intoxication leading to hyponatremia.
Q: What cardiac complication is associated with vasopressin?
A: Myocardial ischemia due to potent vasoconstriction.
Q: How do catecholamines interact with vasopressin?
A: They greatly enhance vasopressor effects, increasing risk of severe hypertension.
Q: What examples of catecholamines may interact with vasopressin?
A: Dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
Q: What is a contraindication for vasopressin?
A: Severe renal dysfunction.
Q: In which patients must vasopressin be used with extreme caution?
A: Those with known vascular disease.
Q: What must nurses closely monitor with vasopressin therapy?
A: Intake and output, daily weights, electrolytes, and blood pressure.
Q: What cardiovascular complications must be monitored with vasopressin?
A: Severe hypertension, lack of blood pressure response, and myocardial ischemia.
Q: What is the half-life of vasopressin?
A: Approximately 10 minutes.
Q: How is vasopressin administered in acute care?
A: Intravenously (IV).