NUR 252 EXAM 4 ENDOCRINE
STUDY GUIDE
,NUR 252 Exam 4 Endocrine Study Guide
Nursing Theory and Science III (Phoenix College)
, - Pituitary Gland
- “Master Gland” –
The Pituitary Gland
controls hormone
secretion of other
endocrine glands.
- Located at the base of the
brain, about 1.27 cm (½
inch) in diameter.
- Divided into:
- Anterior & Posterior
- Connected to and
controlled by the
hypothalamus via the
pituitary stalk
- Anterior Pituitary Hormones
- Controlled by releasing
hormones from the
hypothalamus via the
pituitary portal blood
system.
- Major hormones:
- ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) → stimulates adrenal cortex (↓
in Addison’s, ↑ in Cushing’s).
- TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) → stimulates thyroid hormone
release.
- FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) & LH (Luteinizing hormone) →
regulate reproductive organs.
- PRL (Prolactin) → stimulates milk production in the breast.
- GH (Growth hormone/somatotropin) → regulates growth, metabolism,
and energy.
- Other hormones:
- MSH (Melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
- Beta-lipotropin (function not well understood)
- Growth Hormone (GH)
- Most abundant anterior pituitary hormone.
- Increases:
- Protein synthesis
- Fat breakdown
- Blood glucose levels
- Stimulated by: sleep, stress, fasting, trauma, hypoglycemia, malnutrition, shock,
sepsis.
- Decreased by: obesity, depression, hypothyroidism
- Requires thyroid hormone & insulin to function properly.
- Posterior Pituitary Hormones
- Hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior
pituitary.
- Major hormones:
- ADH (Vasopressin):
- Controls water balance by acting on the kidneys.
- Stimulated by ↑ blood osmolality or ↓ blood pressure.
- Oxytocin:
- Stimulates uterine contractions during labor.
- Facilitates milk ejection during lactation.
Anterior Pituitary
- Hypersecretion
, - ACTH overproduction → Cushing’s syndrome:
- Results in excess cortisol from adrenal cortex.
- Symptoms: moon face, truncal obesity, hyperglycemia,
hypertension, thin skin, muscle weakness.
- GH overproduction:
- Adults → Acromegaly:
- Enlarged hands, feet, facial features (after growth plates close).
-Children → Gigantism:
- Abnormally tall stature due to early GH excess (before growth plates close).
Posterior Pituitary Disorders
ADH Deficiency → Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
- Most common posterior lobe disorder.
- Results in large volumes of dilute urine (polyuria).
- Causes:
- Brain surgery/tumors
- Head trauma
- CNS infections
- Post-pituitary removal (hypophysectomy)
- Renal unresponsiveness to ADH
- Meds
- Symptoms: polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, low urine specific gravity.
ADH Overproduction → SIADH
- Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH):
- Excess ADH → water retention, hyponatremia.
- Symptoms: low urine output, weight gain, confusion, seizures.
- Causes: brain tumors, CNS infections, certain meds, lung cancer.
Disorder Pituitary Involvement Hormone Imbalance Resulting Tissue
Addison’s ↓ ACTH or adrenal failure ↓ Cortisol Fatigue,
hypotension,
hyperkalemia
Cushing’s ↑ ACTH ↑ Cortisol Weight gain, moon face,
high glucose
SIADH ↑ ADH (posterior Water retention Hyponatremia,
fluid pituitary) overload
DI ↓ ADH (posterior Water loss Polyuria,
dehydration, pituitary) hypernatremia
STUDY GUIDE
,NUR 252 Exam 4 Endocrine Study Guide
Nursing Theory and Science III (Phoenix College)
, - Pituitary Gland
- “Master Gland” –
The Pituitary Gland
controls hormone
secretion of other
endocrine glands.
- Located at the base of the
brain, about 1.27 cm (½
inch) in diameter.
- Divided into:
- Anterior & Posterior
- Connected to and
controlled by the
hypothalamus via the
pituitary stalk
- Anterior Pituitary Hormones
- Controlled by releasing
hormones from the
hypothalamus via the
pituitary portal blood
system.
- Major hormones:
- ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) → stimulates adrenal cortex (↓
in Addison’s, ↑ in Cushing’s).
- TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) → stimulates thyroid hormone
release.
- FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) & LH (Luteinizing hormone) →
regulate reproductive organs.
- PRL (Prolactin) → stimulates milk production in the breast.
- GH (Growth hormone/somatotropin) → regulates growth, metabolism,
and energy.
- Other hormones:
- MSH (Melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
- Beta-lipotropin (function not well understood)
- Growth Hormone (GH)
- Most abundant anterior pituitary hormone.
- Increases:
- Protein synthesis
- Fat breakdown
- Blood glucose levels
- Stimulated by: sleep, stress, fasting, trauma, hypoglycemia, malnutrition, shock,
sepsis.
- Decreased by: obesity, depression, hypothyroidism
- Requires thyroid hormone & insulin to function properly.
- Posterior Pituitary Hormones
- Hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior
pituitary.
- Major hormones:
- ADH (Vasopressin):
- Controls water balance by acting on the kidneys.
- Stimulated by ↑ blood osmolality or ↓ blood pressure.
- Oxytocin:
- Stimulates uterine contractions during labor.
- Facilitates milk ejection during lactation.
Anterior Pituitary
- Hypersecretion
, - ACTH overproduction → Cushing’s syndrome:
- Results in excess cortisol from adrenal cortex.
- Symptoms: moon face, truncal obesity, hyperglycemia,
hypertension, thin skin, muscle weakness.
- GH overproduction:
- Adults → Acromegaly:
- Enlarged hands, feet, facial features (after growth plates close).
-Children → Gigantism:
- Abnormally tall stature due to early GH excess (before growth plates close).
Posterior Pituitary Disorders
ADH Deficiency → Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
- Most common posterior lobe disorder.
- Results in large volumes of dilute urine (polyuria).
- Causes:
- Brain surgery/tumors
- Head trauma
- CNS infections
- Post-pituitary removal (hypophysectomy)
- Renal unresponsiveness to ADH
- Meds
- Symptoms: polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, low urine specific gravity.
ADH Overproduction → SIADH
- Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH):
- Excess ADH → water retention, hyponatremia.
- Symptoms: low urine output, weight gain, confusion, seizures.
- Causes: brain tumors, CNS infections, certain meds, lung cancer.
Disorder Pituitary Involvement Hormone Imbalance Resulting Tissue
Addison’s ↓ ACTH or adrenal failure ↓ Cortisol Fatigue,
hypotension,
hyperkalemia
Cushing’s ↑ ACTH ↑ Cortisol Weight gain, moon face,
high glucose
SIADH ↑ ADH (posterior Water retention Hyponatremia,
fluid pituitary) overload
DI ↓ ADH (posterior Water loss Polyuria,
dehydration, pituitary) hypernatremia
