NCLEX 26 Review on Pituitary Gland Disorders

Pituitary Gland Disorders

HYPOPITUITARISM

Insuffecient quantities of anterior pituitary gland hormones.

ASSESSMENT

Lethargy
Hypothermia
Weight loss
Amenorrhea
Dry Skin
Hypotension

– Monitor the patient’s risk for infection.

Treatment

Surgery: if hypopituitarism is caused by a tumor.

Hormone therapy

Corticosteroids (cortisol)
Growth hormone
Sex hormones (testosterone for men and estrogen for women)
Thyroid hormone

HYPERPITUITARISM

Also called Acromegaly and Cushings’s Disease

ACROMEGALY
Often a result of a benign tumor

ASSESMENT

– large hands and feet
– protruding jaw and forehead

TREATMENT

Hypophysectomy
Corticosteroids
Elevate head at least 30 degrees.
Glucocoritcoids
Hormones

* Surgery ( Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery) to remove the pituitary tumor might be the best treatment.

Meds. used to control increased GH:

Octreotide (Sandostatin)
bromocriptine (Parlodel)

DISORDER OF THE POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND.

♣ DIABETES INSIPIDUS

– Hyposecretion of the ADH hormone.
Assessment:

POLYURIA (4-24 L/DAY)
POLYDIPSIA
DEHYDRATION
LOW URINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1.006 OR LOWER
FATIGUE
HYPOTENSION
TACHYCARDIA

– * Fluid Deficit is a priority

Medication:

VASOPRESSIN (PITRESSIN) *used as an antidiuretic hormone

Examples of Antidiuretic Hormones:

Desmopressin acetate
Vasopressin (Pitressin)

Side Effects (Antidiuretic Hormones)

Headache
Nausea & Vomiting
Water Intoxication
Hypertension

Vasopressin

it’s an antidiuretic hormone
prevent the loss of water from the body by reducing urine output and reabsorbing water in the body
(Increases BP)= by constricting (narrowing) blood vessels

Side Effects (VASOPRESSIN)

throbbing headache
stomach pain, bloating
dizziness, nausea
blanching of the skin

♦ Due to increase urine output -> pt. is in risk of HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK.

♠ SIADH

♠ Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)

– excess ADH is being released

Assessment:

FLUID OVERLOAD
WEIGHT GAIN
HYPERTENSION
TACHYCARDIA
HYPONATREMIA

Interventions:

– Monitor fluid & electrolyte imbalance
– Fluid restriction.

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