NURS 6501N-38 Advanced Pathophysiology-Endocrine System

Disorders of the endocrine system have a significant impact on the body. Consider the effects of unmanaged diabetes. Kali Collins, a 10-year-old Colorado girl, helped prevent a potentially fatal accident after her mother, Erin Bolefahr, went into diabetic shock while behind the wheel. After Erin began driving erratically, Kali phoned for help. Police were able to locate the vehicle and provide medical care to an unresponsive Erin (Huffington Post, 2012). If Erin’s diabetes had been properly managed, her daughter would have never been in such immediate danger. This case emphasizes the importance of properly identifying, treating, and managing diabetes. With diabetes and its associated alterations presenting serious medical complications, it is essential for advanced practice nurses to have a strong understanding of this endocrine disorder. In the clinical setting, patients with diabetes and other endocrine disorders will require extensive patient education and supervised care.

This week you examine the pathophysiology of diabetes. You also explore the impact of patient factors on the disorder.

Reference
Kali Collins, 10-year-old Colo. girl, saves family by calling 911 when mom goes into diabetic shock while driving. (2012, March 6). Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/kali-collins-10-years-old_n_1323056.html

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Compare the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus
Evaluate the impact of patient factors on diabetes
Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to alterations of the endocrine system

Learning Resources

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Chapter 18, “Mechanisms of Hormonal Regulation” à This chapter explores mechanisms of hormonal regulation and the structure and function of the endocrine glands. It provides a foundation for examining alterations of the endocrine system, as well as the effects of aging on the endocrine glands.
Chapter 19, “Alterations of Hormonal Regulation” à This chapter begins with an explanation of the mechanisms of hormonal alterations. It then discusses alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, thyroid function, parathyroid function, endocrine pancreas, and adrenal function. It also covers the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and evaluation and treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Hammer, G. G. , & McPhee, S. (2014). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine. (7th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Chapter 17, “Disorders of the Parathyroids & Calcium & Phosphorus Metabolism” à This chapter explores the anatomy, histology, and associated mechanisms of the parathyroid glands, bone, vitamin D, and C cells. It then examines various disorders involving altered regulation of parathyroids, calcium, and phosphorous metabolism.
Chapter 18, “Disorders of the Endocrine Pancreas” à This chapter explores the anatomy, histology, and physiology of the endocrine pancreas. It then covers the clinical presentation, etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of endocrine pancreas disorders such as diabetes mellitus.

Chapter 19, “Disorders of the Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland” à This chapter covers the structure and function of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. It then explores disorders relating to alterations of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Chapter 20, “Thyroid Disease” àThis chapter explains thyroid hormones, including how they are formed and secreted. It then examines thyroid diseases such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and goiters.

American Diabetes Association. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/

The Endocrine Society. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.endo-society.org/

The Hormone Foundation. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.hormone.org/

Discussion: Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association (2011), 25.8 million children and adults have been diagnosed with diabetes in the United States. Approximately 2 million more are diagnosed every year, with another 79 million people considered to be in a pre-diabetes state. These millions of people are at risk of several alterations, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, neuropathy, and blindness. Since diabetes has a major impact on the health of millions of people around the world, it is essential for nurses to understand the pathophysiology and associated alterations of this disorder. In this Discussion, you compare two types of diabetes—diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.

To Prepare

Review Chapter 19 in the Huether and McCance text and Chapter 18 in the McPhee and Hammer text. Identify the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Consider the similarities and differences between resulting alterations of hormonal regulation.
Select two of the following patient factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Think about how the factors you selected might impact the diagnosis and prescription of treatment for these two types of diabetes.

NURS 6501N-38 Advanced Pathophysiology-Endocrine System

By Day 3

Post an explanation of the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Describe the differences and similarities between resulting alterations of hormonal regulation. Then explain how the factors you selected might impact the diagnosis and prescription of treatment for these two types of diabetes.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

INITIAL POST

NURS 6501N-38 Week Nine Discussion

Diabetes

A collection of hormone producing glands make-up the endocrine system. The endocrine system’s hormones are involved in regulating growth and development, metabolism, mood, sexual function, sleep, and other functions as well (Zimmermann, 2016). When there is an alteration of the endocrine system hormone levels become elevated, or are too low, usually indicating changes in the bodies fluid balance, infection, or physiologic stress (Huether, & McCance, 2017). The topic of this paper is diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetes insipidus (DI). Understanding of DM and DI entails the understanding of the endocrine system and the feedback mechanisms for insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin work to maintain glucose stores in the body.

NURS 6501N-38 Advanced Pathophysiology-Endocrine System

Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus

Huether and McCance (2017), describe diabetes mellitus as a “group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both” (p. 471) and classifies DM into four categories. Three of the four categories include type 1, type 2, and gestational. DM is diagnosed from one of the several tests performed on two separate occasions including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour plasma glucose levels during oral glucose tolerance testing, or by random glucose levels in an individual with symptoms (Huether, & McCance, 2017, p. 471).

…

Consider the effects of unmanaged diabetes. Kali Collins, a 10-year-old Colorado girl,

NURS 6501N-38 Advanced Pathophysiology-Endocrine System