Pediatric Endocrine Nursing Review: Growth Hormone, GH Deficiency,
Hypopituitarism, Pituitary Hyperfunction, Acromegaly, Precocious Puberty,
GnRHa Therapy, Diabetes Insipidus, ADH, SIADH, Hypothyroidism, Juvenile
Hypothyroidism, Levothyroxine Therapy, Hyperthyroidism, Graves Disease,
Thyroid Hormones T3/T4, PTH, Hypoparathyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism,
Calcium Homeostasis, Addison Disease, Adrenal Cortex, Cushing
Syndrome, Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids, Congenital Adrenal
Hyperplasia, Hyperaldosteronism, Pheochromocytoma, Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus, Ketoacidosis, Insulin Therapy, Hypoglycemia, Pediatric Endocrine
Homeostasis Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What are the functions of the endocrine system?
Metabolism
Maintains homeostasis
Growth & development
Sexual function
Reproductions
Sleep-wake cycle
Mood
What does the endocrine system consist of?
Consists of glands that produce, store and release HORMONES.
Hormones act on cells that have receptors specific to...
that hormone.
,Hypopituitarism
Diminished secretion of pituitary hormones.
Decreased LH or FSH = absence or regression of secondary sex characteristics.
Decreased TSH = hypothyroidism.
Decreased corticotropin = adrenal hypofunction.
Decreased GH = stunted growth.
The most common organic cause is a tumor.
How might a nurse tell the difference between a child with failure to thrive and a child with GH
deficiency?
A child with GH deficiency have a well-nourished appearance.
How can we identify hypopituitarism?
It's very important to look at history of growth, genetics, family history, chronic illnesses, sexual
development, radiographic surveys, and endocrine studies.
Treatment is aimed at the cause.
It's important to catch GH deficiency early.
, How do we treat GH deficiency?
Replacement of GH via daily subcutaneous injection.
Height will increase, but the individual will still remain shorter than average in most cases.
Why would a child with hypopituitarism and their family members need emotional support?
A diagnosis can take time and the family is likely to feel resentful of healthcare team if so.
What time of day is biosynthetic GH administration most effective?
Bedtime.
Pituitary Hyperfunction
Excess GH before the close of the epiphyseal shafts of bones results in height of 8 ft+.
Excess GH after the close of the epiphyseal shafts of bones can result in acromegaly.
Can develop slowly.
If untreated can lead to early death.
Acromegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the extremities.
S/S:
Thickening of skull, coarsening of facial features, broadening of hands and feet, increased ring and shoe
size, thickened heel pads, enlarged but weak skeletal muscles.
Hypopituitarism, Pituitary Hyperfunction, Acromegaly, Precocious Puberty,
GnRHa Therapy, Diabetes Insipidus, ADH, SIADH, Hypothyroidism, Juvenile
Hypothyroidism, Levothyroxine Therapy, Hyperthyroidism, Graves Disease,
Thyroid Hormones T3/T4, PTH, Hypoparathyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism,
Calcium Homeostasis, Addison Disease, Adrenal Cortex, Cushing
Syndrome, Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids, Congenital Adrenal
Hyperplasia, Hyperaldosteronism, Pheochromocytoma, Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus, Ketoacidosis, Insulin Therapy, Hypoglycemia, Pediatric Endocrine
Homeostasis Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What are the functions of the endocrine system?
Metabolism
Maintains homeostasis
Growth & development
Sexual function
Reproductions
Sleep-wake cycle
Mood
What does the endocrine system consist of?
Consists of glands that produce, store and release HORMONES.
Hormones act on cells that have receptors specific to...
that hormone.
,Hypopituitarism
Diminished secretion of pituitary hormones.
Decreased LH or FSH = absence or regression of secondary sex characteristics.
Decreased TSH = hypothyroidism.
Decreased corticotropin = adrenal hypofunction.
Decreased GH = stunted growth.
The most common organic cause is a tumor.
How might a nurse tell the difference between a child with failure to thrive and a child with GH
deficiency?
A child with GH deficiency have a well-nourished appearance.
How can we identify hypopituitarism?
It's very important to look at history of growth, genetics, family history, chronic illnesses, sexual
development, radiographic surveys, and endocrine studies.
Treatment is aimed at the cause.
It's important to catch GH deficiency early.
, How do we treat GH deficiency?
Replacement of GH via daily subcutaneous injection.
Height will increase, but the individual will still remain shorter than average in most cases.
Why would a child with hypopituitarism and their family members need emotional support?
A diagnosis can take time and the family is likely to feel resentful of healthcare team if so.
What time of day is biosynthetic GH administration most effective?
Bedtime.
Pituitary Hyperfunction
Excess GH before the close of the epiphyseal shafts of bones results in height of 8 ft+.
Excess GH after the close of the epiphyseal shafts of bones can result in acromegaly.
Can develop slowly.
If untreated can lead to early death.
Acromegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the extremities.
S/S:
Thickening of skull, coarsening of facial features, broadening of hands and feet, increased ring and shoe
size, thickened heel pads, enlarged but weak skeletal muscles.
