Chapter 40: Endocrine Structure & Function

Which gland is often referred to as the master gland because it secretes many hormones?

Pituitary

Which gland acts as a signal relaying bridge between multiple body systems and the pituitary gland?

Hypothalamus

While reviewing the major actions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the faculty points out that in males this hormone is responsible for the:

Sperm production

A client has developed a tumor of the posterior pituitary gland. The client is at risk for problems with secretions of:

ADH and oxytocin

The nurse is assessing a client with thyrotoxicosis and the nurse is explaining how the thyroid gland is stimulated to release thyroid hormones. The nurse should describe what process?

Action of releasing hormones by the hypothalamus

The non-vesicle-mediated pathway has a role in synthesis and release of which hormones? Select all that apply.

Aldosterone Testosterone

Select the category of hormones that include norepinephrine and epinephrine.

Amines and amino acids

When hormones act locally rather than being secreted into the bloodstream, their actions are termed:

Autocrine and paracrine

After having a very stressful day in pathophysiology class, the student knows that which hormone (secreted by the adrenal cortex) will help decrease the effects of stress?

Cortisol

The nurse is reviewing the test results of a client who was given thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to evaluate the function of the pituitary gland. The nurse would recognize pituitary dysfunction as:

Decreased TSH levels Rationale: Stimulation tests are used when hypofunction of an endocrine organ is suspected. Failure to increase TSH levels after a TRH stimulation test suggests an inadequate capacity to produce TSH by the pituitary (i.e., the pituitary is dysfunctional in some way).

A client experiences an increase in thyroid hormone as a result of a thyroid tumor. Which hormonal response demonstrates the negative feedback mechanism?

Decreased TSH release

When caring for a client who is being screened for osteoporosis, the nurse plans to evaluate the results of which diagnostic test?

Dual energy x ray

Which main hormones are released by the anterior pituitary gland

GH FSH LH TSH ACTH

A health care provider is assessing a client for a potential endocrine disorder. Assessment findings identify abnormalities with emotion, pain, and body temperature. Which mechanism of endocrine control will require further laboratory/diagnostic assessment?

Hypothalamus

An adult client is scheduled for testing of a suspected growth hormone (GH)-secreting tumor. Which result from the glucose suppression test would confirm the condition?

Increased GH secretion

A middle-aged female client has been diagnosed with a thyroid condition. The nurse educates the client about the prescription and needed follow-up lab work, which will help regulate the dosage. The client asks, "Why do I not return to the clinic for weeks, since I am starting the medication tomorrow morning?" The nurse bases the answer on the knowledge that thyroid hormones:

May take days for the full effect to occur, based on the MOA

The hormone levels in the body need to be kept within an appropriate range. How is this accomplished for many of the hormones in the body?

Negative feedback

As part of maintaining homeostasis, why are hormones, secreted by endocrine cells, continuously inactivated?

Prevent accumulation

When trying to explain hypothyroidism to a newly diagnosed client, the nurse stresses the fact that the thyroid hormone is transported in blood by specific:

Proteins

During a near-miss accident while cycling, a client marvels at how fast he was able to react. He attributes this to his "fight or flight" response but then wonders why it lasts for only a short period. The client had a short burst of catecholamine activity because catecholamines are:

Rapidly degraded by enzymes in circulation and at the tissue

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving exogenous corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Recognizing that hormone levels are regulated by negative feedback, which laboratory test result does the nurse anticipate uncovering when reviewing the medical record?

Reduction in ACTH

The physician suspects a client may be experiencing hypofunction of an endocrine organ. Select the most appropriate test to determine organ function.

Stimulation test

A client has received an injection containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and is now being assessed for serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Which type of diagnostic testing is this client undergoing?

Stimulation testing

When describing to a client newly diagnosed with diabetes how insulin is regulated, the nurse will draw upon her knowledge of which hormonal regulation mechanism?

The hypothalamic-pituitary target cell system

A client with many nonspecific complaints has been ordered a positron emission tomography (PET) scanning for evaluation of:

Tumors located on endocrine glands

While discussing the elimination of hormones from the body to prevent overaccumulation, which hormones are eliminated in bile? Select all that apply.

Unbound adrenal hormones Gonadal steroid hormones Thyroid hormones

Sometimes the measurement of hormones is done through a urine sample. What is an advantage of measuring hormone levels through a urine sample rather than a blood sample?

Urine is easily obtained

A client is scheduled for a suppression test as part of the diagnostic testing for his suspected endocrine disorder. The results of this test will help the care team determine:

Whether the client is producing excess levels of hormone

When discussing luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone with students, the instructor will emphasize that these hormones are under the control of:

Anterior pituitary gland

A client with a history of brain tumors that resulted in partial removal of the pituitary gland years ago expresses concern to the health care provider about whether she will be able to breast-feed her infant. Which physiologic function of the pituitary gland facilitates breast milk production?

Prolactin

The kidney produces 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This form of vitamin D is responsible for which action in the body?

Stimulates calcium absorption from the intestines