Endocrine System
Endocrine System ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a client who has diabetes mellitus about the effects of aging on the endocrine system. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
(Select all that apply.).
This is true because ageing can impair insulin secretion and action, leading to increased insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance. Additionally, ageing can affect the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of insulin and other medications, which may require dose adjustments.
This is true because ageing can impair the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia, which is the release of hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone that raise blood glucose levels. Older adults with diabetes may also have reduced awareness of hypoglycemic symptoms, such as sweating, trembling, hunger, and confusion.
This is true because ageing can reduce the production and activity of several hormones that affect energy metabolism, such as thyroid hormones, growth hormone, and sex hormones.
These hormones regulate basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, fat distribution, and physical performance. Reduced energy levels can also affect glucose control and quality of life in older adults with diabetes.
This is false because osteoporosis is mainly caused by decreased estrogen or testosterone production in women and men, respectively.
Estrogen and testosterone are important for maintaining bone mass and preventing bone resorption. Growth hormone has a minor role in bone metabolism compared to sex hormones.
This is false because cortisol production does not decrease with ageing. Cortisol is the main stress hormone that helps the body adapt to various challenges. In fact, ageing can increase cortisol levels due to chronic inflammation, psychological stress, or impaired feedback regulation. Elevated cortisol levels can have negative effects on glucose control, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function in older adults with diabetes.
The correct answer is A, B, and C.
Here is why:.
• A. “You may need to increase your insulin dosage as you get older.” This is true because ageing can impair insulin secretion and action, leading to increased insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance. Additionally, ageing can affect the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of insulin and other medications, which may require dose adjustments.
• B. “You may experience more episodes of hypoglycemia as you get older.” This is true because ageing can impair the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia, which is the release of hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone that raise blood glucose levels. Older adults with diabetes may also have reduced awareness of hypoglycemic symptoms, such as sweating, trembling, hunger, and confusion.
• C. “You may have less energy and feel more tired as you get older.” This is true because ageing can reduce the production and activity of several hormones that affect energy metabolism, such as thyroid hormones, growth hormone, and sex hormones.
These hormones regulate basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, fat distribution, and physical performance. Reduced energy levels can also affect glucose control and quality of life in older adults with diabetes.
• D. “You may develop osteoporosis due to decreased growth hormone production.” This is false because osteoporosis is mainly caused by decreased estrogen or testosterone production in women and men, respectively.
Estrogen and testosterone are important for maintaining bone mass and preventing bone resorption. Growth hormone has a minor role in bone metabolism compared to sex hormones.
• E. “You may have difficulty coping with stress due to decreased cortisol production.” This is false because cortisol production does not decrease with ageing.
Cortisol is the main stress hormone that helps the body adapt to various challenges. In fact, ageing can increase cortisol levels due to chronic inflammation, psychological stress, or impaired feedback regulation. Elevated cortisol levels can have negative effects on glucose control, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function in older adults with diabetes.
Normal ranges for some hormones in older adults are:.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone: 0.4–4.0 mIU/L.
• Free thyroxine: 9–19 pmol/L.
• Growth hormone: < 5 ng/mL.
• Insulinlike growth factor 1: 50–216 ng/mL.
• Cortisol: 5–25 mcg/dL.
• Testosterone: 300–1000 ng/dL (men), 15–70 ng/dL (women).
• Estradiol: < 20 pg/mL (men), < 10 pg/mL (women).