Term
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Definition
| hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland |
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Term
| Corticosteroids are divided into two categories |
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Definition
1. mineralocorticoids
2. glucocorticoids |
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Term
| Mineralocorticoids (fludrocortisone and aldosterone) |
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Definition
*maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
*promotes sodium and water reabsorption
*causes sodium excreation
*used to treat Addison's disease |
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Term
| Glucocorticoids (cortisone, hydorcortisone, prednisone) |
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Definition
| regulate carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism |
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Term
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Definition
| have antiinflammatory, antiallergenic and immmunosuppressant activity |
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Term
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Definition
* Excessive levels of glucocorticoids.
* Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (buffalo hump) and a round face often referred to as a "moon face." Other symptoms include hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), thinning of the skin (which causes easy bruising and dryness, particularly the hands) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae (the weight gain in Cushing's syndrome stretches the skin, which is thin and weakened, causing it to hemorrhage) on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth), baldness and/or cause hair to become extremely dry and brittle. In rare cases, Cushing's can cause hypercalcemia, which can lead to skin necrosis. The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, insomnia, inhibited aromatase, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhea and infertility due to elevations in androgens. Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety are also common. |
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Term
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Definition
* Hyposecretion of the adrenal cortices
* Symptoms; * Muscle weakness and fatigue
* Weight loss and decreased appetite
* Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
* Low blood pressure, even fainting
* Salt craving
* Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
* Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
* Muscle or joint pains
* Irritability
* Depression
* Decreased potassium level |
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Term
| Indications for Glucocorticoids |
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Definition
* adrenocortical deficiancy
* cerebral edema
* collagen diseases
* dermatologic diseases
* GI diseases
* exacerbations of chronic respiratory illess such as asthma and COPD
* Organ transplants (decrease immune response
*leukemia and lymphomas
* spinal cord injury
*treating of cushings syndrome |
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Term
| Contraindications for Glucocorticoids |
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Definition
*severe infections
*psychosis
* severe renal disease
* peptic ulcers |
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Term
| Preparations for glucocorteroids |
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Definition
*oral
*IM
*IV
*TopicAL
*intranasal
*opthalmic |
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Term
| Side effects of Glucocorteroids |
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Definition
any use greater than 10 days
*increased blood sugar
*fat deposite (moon face, buffalo hump)
*muscle wasting
*euphoria, psychosis
* sodium and water retention(increased blood pressure and edema)
*purura-purple discoloration
*glaucoma
*peptic ulcers
*irregular periods
*adrenal atrophy
*****to discontinue drug, must taper off***
****has many drug interactons***
need increased doses of anti-diabetic meds |
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Term
| Examples of glucocorteroids |
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Definition
*fluticasone propionate
*cortisone
*prednisone |
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Term
| Example of Mineralocorticoids |
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Definition
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Term
| Example of Adrenal steroid inhibitors |
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Definition
| *aminogluethimid (cytradren) most commonly used to treat cushings syndrome, adrenal cancer and breast cancer |
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Term
| Glucocorticoid Nursing Process |
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Definition
*monitor vital signs
*give only as ordered
*use topical thin layer
*monitor for hypokalemia
*monitor potassium levels
*muscle weakness
*abdominal distention
*irregular heart rate
*monitor for osteoporosis in elderly
*eat foods high in potassium
*take drugs at the same time every day
*where medic ID bracelet
*watch for infections
*systemic forms may be given oral, IM, IV or rectal routes.
***not SC route***
*Oral forms given with food or milk
*If given oral flush mouth out to prevent oral fungal infections
*patient teaching: avoid contact with people who are infectious, and to report s/s of fever, increased weakness, lethargy, or sore throat |
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Term
| Adrenal Gland made up of two glands |
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Definition
*adrenal medulla (on the outside)
*adrenal cortex (on the inside)
*each portion has different functions and secretes different hormones |
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Term
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Definition
*epinephrine
*norepinephrine |
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Term
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Definition
*glucocorticoids
*mineralocorticoids
***all are steroid hormones*** |
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