NUR 2392 Module 9 Assignment: Endocrine Disorders Guide Rasmussen College NUR: 2392 Multidimensional Care II
Running head: MODULE 9 ASSIGNMENT- ENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 1
Module 9 Assignment: Endocrine Disorders Gui
...
NUR 2392 Module 9 Assignment: Endocrine Disorders Guide Rasmussen College NUR: 2392 Multidimensional Care II
Running head: MODULE 9 ASSIGNMENT- ENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 1
Module 9 Assignment: Endocrine Disorders Guide
Rasmussen College
NUR: 2392 Multidimensional Care II
DateENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 2
Hyperthyroidism Hyperparathyroidism
Causes of Disorder *Most common cause is Graves’
disease (toxic diffuse goiter)- an
autoimmune disorder resulting from
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT); the
production of autoantibodies to
different substances & structures
within the thyroid.
*Caused by multiple thyroid nodules
(toxic multinodular goiter)- enlarged
thyroid tissues or benign tumors.
*Caused by excessive use of thyroid
replacement hormones (exogenous
hyperthyroidism), (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017, p
1265)
*Parathyroid tumor or cancer
*Congenital hyperplasia
*Neck trauma or radiation
*Vitamin D deficiency
*Chronic kidney disease with
hypocalcemia
*Parathyroid hormone-secreting
carcinomas of the lung, kidney, or GI
tract, (Rebar, Ignatavicius, &
Workman, 2017, p 1275)
Diagnostic Tests • Thyroid scan- evaluates the
position, size, & functioning of the
thyroid gland
• Ultrasonography- determine the
size of the thyroid gland & the
general composition of any masses
or nodules.
• ECG- usually shows
supraventricular tachycardia, but
other ECG changes can include
atrial fibrillation, dysrhythmias, &
premature ventricular contractions.
• Lab tests such as Serum T3
(increased), T4 (total) (increased),
free T4 index (increased), TSI
(elevated in Graves’ disease;
normal in other types of
hyperthyroidism), TRAb (80%-
95% indicated Graves’ disease), &
TSH (low in Graves’ disease; high
in secondary or tertiary
hyperthyroidism), (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017 p
1266).
• Arteriography
• CT scan
• Venous sampling of the thyroid
for blood PTH levels
• Ultrasonography
• X-ray- may show kidney stones,
calcium deposits, & bone lesions
• EKG- usually shows short QT
interval
• Bone mineral density test
• Lab tests such as 24-hour urine
collection, serum calcium
(increased in primary
hyperparathyroidism), serum
phosphorus (decreased), serum
magnesium (increased), serum
parathyroid hormone (increased),
Vitamin D (calciferol) (variable),
urine cAMP (increased), (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017,
p 1276).
Signs & Symptoms • Diaphoresis
• Thinning of scalp hair
• Smooth, warm, moist skin
• Palpitations
• Chest pain
• Increased systolic BP
• GI problems (anorexia, nausea,
vomiting, epigastric pain,
constipation, weight loss)
• Fatigue & lethargy
• Psychosis & confusion
• Bone fracturesENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 3
• Tachycardia
• Dysrhythmias
• Rapid, shallow respirations
• Weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Increased stools
• Eye fatigue
• Insomnia
• Tremors
• Blurred or double vision
• Increased tears
• Hyperactive DTRs
• Exophthalmos
• Increased basal metabolic rate
• Heat intolerance
• Low-grade fever
• Fatigue
• Restlessness & irritability
• Manic behavior
• Decreased attention span
• Enlarged spleen
• Goiter
• Muscle weakness & wasting
• Increased libido
• Amenorrhea
• Inability to perform ADLs, (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017, p
1264)
• Arthritis
• Psychological stress
• Kidney stones
• Excessive urination
• Abdominal pain
• Bone & joint pain
• Depression
• Forgetfulness, (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017 p
1276)
Nursing Role in
Multidimensional Care
• Monitor orthostatic BP (lying,
sitting, & standing)
• Assess HR & pulse when patient is
sleeping
• Auscultate heart sounds
• Monitor ECG
• Auscultate breath sounds
• Monitor temperature
• Observe s/s of polydipsia, dry
mucous membranes, weak or
thread pulse, poor capillary refill,
oliguria, & hypotension
• Weigh daily
• Avoid foods that increase
peristalsis & that cause diarrhea
• Provide information about s/s of
hypothyroidism & the need for
continuous follow-up care, (Vera,
• Monitor vitals, EKG, renal stones
(strain urine), calcium, &
phosphate levels
• Monitor I&Os & fluid status
• Diet low in calcium & high in
phosphate
• Provide IV fluids (normal saline
for hydration & loop diuretics to
decrease calcium levels
• Adjust activities & reduce
intensity level
• Assist patients with
activities/monitor clients use of
assistive device such as a walker,
cane, (RegisteredNurseRN,
2017).ENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 4
2019).
Evaluate Responses to
Interventions Taken
• Nonsurgical management:
• Monitoring includes measuring the
patient’s apical pulse, BP, &
temperature at least Q4H. Instruct
patient to report immediately any
palpitations, dyspnea, vertigo, or
chest pain. Increases in
temperature may indicate a rapid
worsening of the patient’s
condition & the onset of thyroid
storm. If patient has a cardiac
monitor, check for dysrhythmias.
• Reducing stimulation helps
prevent increasing the symptoms
of hyperthyroidism & the risk for
cardiac complications. Encourage
the patient to rest. Keep the
environment as quiet as possible.
• Promoting comfort includes
reducing the room temperature to
decrease discomfort cause by heat
intolerance. Suggest the patient
take a cool shower or sponge
bather several times each day.
Patients with exophthalmos,
prevent eye dryness by
encouraging use of artificial tears.
• Drug therapy (antithyroid drugs)
initial treatment, such as
thionamides, esp. methimazole
(Tapazole). Propylthiouracil (PTU)
is used less often because of its
liver toxic effects. Response to
these drugs are delayed because
the patient may have large
amounts of stored thyroid
hormones that continue to be
released.
• Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy
not used in pregnant women. Can
be given in oral form, with dosage
depending on the thyroid gland’s
size & sensitivity to radiation.
Radiation precautions are needed
to prevent exposure to family
• Nonsurgical management:
• Diuretic & hydration therapies
help reduce serum calcium levels
in patients who have milder
disease. Usually furosemide
(Lasix), a diuretic that increases
kidney secretion of calcium, is
used along with IV saline in large
volumes to promote calcium
excretion.
• Drug therapy for patients who
have more severe symptoms of
hyperparathyroidism involves the
use of cinacalcet (Sensipar), a
calcimimetic. For patients who do
not respond to cinacalcet, oral
phosphates are used to inhibit
bone resorption & interfere with
calcium absorption.
• Monitor cardiac function & I&O
Q2H during hydration therapy.
Compare recent ECG tracings
with the patient’s baseline
tracings.
• Preventing injury is important
because the patient with chronic
hyperparathyroidism often has
significant bone density loss & is
at risk for fractures, (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017,
p 1276).
• Surgical management:
(parathyroidectomy) calcium
levels are decreased to near
normal for the patient. Nursing
care before & after surgical
removal of the parathyroid glands
is the same as that for
thyroidectomy. Check serum
calcium levels whenever they are
drawn until calcium levels
stabilize. Monitor for
hypocalcemia, check for
Trousseau’s & Chvostek’s signs,
which indicate potential tetany.ENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 5
members & other people, (Rebar,
Ignatavicius, & Workman, 2017, p
1267).
• Surgical management:
• Preoperative- patient is treated
with thionamide drug therapy first.
• Monitoring the patient for
complications is the most
important nursing action after
thyroid surgery. (Monitor vital
signs every 15 minutes until the
patient is stable & then every 30
minutes.
• Hemorrhage is most likely to
occur during the first 24 hours
after surgery. Inspect the neck
dressing & behind the patient’s
neck for blood. A moderate
amount of serosanguineous
drainage is normal.
• Respiratory distress & reduced
gas exchange can result from
swelling, tetany, or damage to the
laryngeal nerve, resulting in
spasms. Monitor the patient to
identify symptoms of obstruction
& poor gas exchange after thyroid
surgery.
• Hypocalcemia & tetany may occur
if the parathyroid glands are
removed or damaged or their
blood supply is impaired during
thyroid surgery, resulting in
decreased PTH levels.
• Laryngeal nerve damage may
occur during surgery. This results
in hoarseness & a weak voice.
Assess patients voice at 2-hour
intervals, (Rebar, Ignatavicius, &
Workman, 2017, p 1269).
Assess the patient for changes in
voice patterns & hoarseness due
to possible recurrent laryngeal
nerve damage during surgery. If
all else fails, lifelong treatment
with calcium & vitamin D will be
necessary, (Rebar, Ignatavicius, &
Workman, 2017, p 1277).ENDOCRINE DISORDERS GUIDE 6
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