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Cushing's syndrome
cushing's syndrome
9
Nursing
Undergraduate 1
01/22/2014

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Cards

Term
When does Cushing's syndrome occur?
Definition
when high levels of corticosteroids are present in the body over a prolonged period
Term
What are the causes of Cushing's syndrome?
Definition

Most commonly due to long-term therapy with high doses of systemic corticosteroids.

Sometimes can be due to pituitary gland (excess adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH) or adrenal tumors.

Term
What are signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome
Definition
  1. Adrenal atrophy 
  2. osteoporosis
  3. HTN
  4. delayed wound healing
  5. acne
  6. peptic ulcers
  7. general obesity, 
  8. increased risk for infection
  9. redistribution of fat around the face (moon face), shoulders, and neck (buffalo hump)
Term
Some drugs such as hydrocortisone also have mineralocorticoid. What can this cause?
Definition
retention ofsodium and water. because of their antiinflamatory properties, corticosteroids may mask signs of infection, and a resulting delay in antibiotic therapy may result.
Term
Primary therapeutic goal
Definition
because it has a highmortality rate, the primary goal is to identify and treat the cause of the excess corticosteroid secretion.
Term
when patients are receiving high doses of corticosteroid medication, what is the next step?
Definition
gradual discontinuation of the drug is often sufficient to reverse the syndrome.
Term
when is surgical removal indicated?
Definition
whenc ause of hypersecretion is an adrenal tumor or perhaps an ectopic tumor secreting ACTH
Term
What is the preferred drug for patients with Cushing's syndrome who need long-term therapy?
Definition
antifungal drug ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Term
how does ketoconazole work in cushing's syndrome
Definition
it rapidily blocks the synthesis of corticosteroids, lowering serum levels. Unfortunately patients often develop tolerance to the drug and eventually corticosteroids return to abnormally high levels
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