Edocrine :(

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 11, 2012

Where are you stuck? Endocrine is a rather broad subject. If you let us know where you are getting confused perhaps we can offer some tips, mnemonics, or other suggestions to help you.

ejm123 · Jun 11, 2012

Keeping what hormones go with what....and then levels for disorders like Addison's, cushings, hypo/hyperthyroidism, hypo/hyperparathyroidiam....etc...

Usually lecture notes are in sync with book but this time to me they were scattered. Which makes me get even more confused.

ejm123 · Jun 11, 2012

We are covering the whole endocrine system and DM.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 11, 2012

There are a couple of threads in the General Nursing Student & Nursing Student Assistance forum with great tips. (like hyperthyroid is hot and hungry, hypothyroid is cold and constipated; Addison's is low cortisol but Cushing's is high cortisol) The Nursing Made Easy series had some great visual tools for learning endocrine (cartoon drawings with good explanations) Give me a minute...

ejm123 · Jun 11, 2012

Never heard of nursing made easy! Thank you I'm kind of new to this so I'm trying to find my way around.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 11, 2012

Here are some endocrine links provided in another thread by Esme12 : Hormones & Endocrine System for Nurses. Made simple. | Healthmad

Anatomy of the Endocrine System

You tube also had some great videos, just look for ones by legitimate educational institutions. One of my classmates compiled dozens of you tube videos for various systems that really helped the visual/auditory learners in my class.

When I studied, I started with a anatomy diagram of the endocrine system, linked hormones to the glands producing and affected by (such as TSH made by pituitary which works on the thyroid...) Then made index cards with the associated conditions. I did side by side comparisons of the 'complimentary' diseases (hypo & hyper thyroidism, Addison's & Cushing's, hypo & hyper parathyroidism) including the difference (cortisol high/low, calcium high/how, potassium high/low, etc.) and common treatments (medication, surgical, etc.)

Break it down. I actually drew little cartoon guys to exhibit the difference between hypo and hyperthyroidism and Addison's vs. Cushings. I'll see if I can find the files I made.

There is a journal and books for Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! and I believe a "demystified" series. Your school may have access to the journal and/or the books.

Here is one of the free articles for endocrine: Touchdown!! Understanding corticosteroids like a pro : Nursing made Incredibly Easy

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2012

ok.....check out the links. this is a ton of info. the endocrine system regulates everything.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/anatomy_of_the_endocrine_system/article_em.htm

myxedema/hypothyroidism: slowed physical and mental function, sensitivity to cold, dry skin and hair

graves’ disease/hyperthyroidism: accelerated physical and mental function; sensitivity to heat, fine/soft hair

thyroid storm: increased temp, pulse and htn

post-thyroidectomy: semi-fowler’s, prevent ncek flexion/hyperextension, trach at bedside

hypo-parathyroid: cats – convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms, stridor (decreased calcium), high ca, low phosphorus diet

hyper-parathyroid: fatigue, muscle weakness, renal calculi, back and joint pain (increased calcium), low ca, high phosphorus diet

hypovolemia – incrased temp, rapid/weak pulse, increase respiration, hypotension, anxiety, urine specific gravity >1.030

hypervolemia – bounding pulse, sob, dyspnea, rares/crackles, peripheral edema, htn, urine specific gravity

diabetes insipidus (decreased adh): excessive urine output and thirst, dehydration, weakness, administer pitressin

siadh (increased adh): change in loc, decreased deep tendon reflexes, tachycardia, n/v/a, ha; administer declomycin, diuretics

hypokalemia: muscle ewakness, dysrhythmias, increase k (raisins, bananas, apricots, oranges, beans, potatoes, carrots, celery)

hyperkalemia: murder – muscle weakness, urine (oliguria/anuria), respiratory depression, decreased cardiac contractility, ecg changes, reflexes

hyponatremia: nausea, muscle cramps, increased icp, muscular twitching, convulsion; osmotic diuretics, fluids

hypernatremia: increased temp, weakness, disorientation/delusions, hypotension, tachycardia; hypotonic solution

hypocalcemia: cats – convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms and stridor

hypercalcemia: muscle weakness, lack of coordination, abdominal pain, confusion, absent tendon reflexes, sedative effect on cns

hypomg: tremors, tetany, seizures, dyrshythmias, depression, confusion, dysphagia; dig toxicity

hypermg: depresses the cns, hypotension, facial flushing, muscle ewakness, absent deep tendon reflexes, shallow respirations, emergency

addison’s: hypona, hyperk, hypoglycemia, dark pigmentation, decreased resistance to stress, fractures, alopecia, weight loss, gi distress

cushings: hyperna, hypok, hyperglycemia, prone to infection, muscle wasting, weakness, edema, htn, hirsutism, moonface/buffalo hump

addisonian crisis: n/v, confusion, abdominal pain, extreme weakness, hypoglycemia, dehydration, decreased bp

pheochromocytoma: hypersecretion of epi/norepi, persistent htn, increased hr, hyperglycemia, diaphoresis, tremor, pounding ha; avoid stress, frequent bathing and rest breaks, avoid cold and stimulating foods, surgery to remove tumor

http://www.endocrineweb.com/

a very cool free tutor website....

endocrine system

to choose an activity to play, click on a title listed below .

[table=class: rt-joomla-table]

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[td=align: right] 1

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[td][color=#a20417]infolink- diabetic patient scenario

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