Endocrine
9.1 Metabolic Regulation Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Understand the classifications and actions of endocrine system drugs
- Give examples of when, how, and to whom endocrine system drugs may be administered
- Identify the side effects and special considerations associated with endocrine system drug therapy
- Identify the considerations and implications of using endocrine system medications across the lifespan
- Apply evidence-based concepts when using the nursing process and clinical reasoning related to medications that affect the endocrine system
- Identify indications, side effects, and potential drug interactions associated with the use of herbal supplements
Key Terms
- A1C
- adrenal medulla
- aldosterone
- antidiuretic hormone
- basal insulin
- blood osmolarity
- diabetes insipidus
- exocrine gland
- general adaptation syndrome
- glycolysis
- hormones
- humoral stimuli
- hyperglycemia
- hypoparathyroidism
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
- hypoglycemia
- hypoparathyroidism
- hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
- hypothalamus–pituitary complex
- hypothyroidism
- insulin
- mineralocorticoids
- negative feedback loop
- neural stimuli
- osmoreceptors
- parathyroid hormone
- prandial insulins
- tropic hormones
- type 1 diabetes
- type 2 diabetes
Have you ever wondered how your body controls functions such as digestion, metabolism, and the stress response? The endocrine system is always working behind the scenes, regulating various organs by releasing hormones and using feedback loops. This chapter will discuss medications that affect three of the major endocrine glands: the adrenal glands, the pancreas, and the thyroid. But before we get started with discussing medications, let’s review some key endocrine system concepts to understand the mechanism of action of endocrine medications.
A lab test used to assess long-term blood glucose levels over 3 months. The general A1C target level is less than 7%.
Neuroendocrine tissue composed of postganglionic sympathetic nervous system (SNS) neurons that are stimulated by the autonomic nervous system to secrete hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.
A mineralocorticoid, released by the adrenal cortex, that controls fluid and electrolyte balance through the regulation of sodium and potassium.
ADH is released by the posterior pituitary in response to stimuli from osmoreceptors indicating high blood osmolarity. Its effect is to cause increased water reabsorption by the kidneys. As more water is reabsorbed by the kidneys, the greater the amount of water that is returned to the blood, thus causing a decrease in blood osmolarity. ADH is also known as vasopressin because, in very high concentrations, it causes constriction of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure by increasing peripheral resistance.
Long-acting (insulin glargine or insulin detemir) or intermediate-acting (NPH) insulin.
The concentration of solutes (such as sodium and glucose) in the blood.
A disease characterized by und