QUESTION 1
- Explain the hormones and function of the parathyroid gland. Why is the gland important?
QUESTION 2
- What is the function of the pituitary gland and hormones?
Your response must be at least 75 words in length.
QUESTION 3
- How does negative feedback play an important part in hormonal regulation?
QUESTION 4
- In your own words, explain the nervous system’s role in chemical messengers that bind to target cells.
QUESTION 5
- Your unit has been dispatched to a home of an elderly woman who fell. Upon arrival, the patient was alert and oriented, and her vital signs were stable. She complained of neck pain. Upon examination of the patient’s neck, you felt no step-down in her cervical spine but decided to place her in a cervical collar as a precautionary measure. Prior to placing the patient in the cervical collar, you felt an enlarged thyroid gland. You placed the patient on the cardiac monitor and noticed she was in sinus tachycardia at 120bpm. The patient stated she had a goiter. Explain how the enlarged thyroid gland might have caused the patient’s condition.
QUESTION 6
- You are called to the scene of an unconscious diabetic. Explain what diabetes is and how it affects the human body.
Your response must be at least 200 words in length.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor responsible for creating college assignments and answers for medical college students, I understand the importance of answering questions accurately and providing detailed explanations. Below are my answers to the questions provided.
Question 1:
The parathyroid gland secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood. PTH increases the amount of calcium in the blood by stimulating the release of calcium from bone tissue and decreasing the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. The parathyroid gland plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis, which is important for skeletal and muscular system function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting.
Question 2:
The pituitary gland secretes hormones that control several functions in the body, including growth and development, reproduction, and metabolism. The anterior pituitary secretes growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and prolactin. The posterior pituitary secretes antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin. These hormones regulate thyroid function, adrenal gland function, and water balance in the body.
Question 3:
Negative feedback plays an essential role in hormonal regulation by maintaining homeostasis in the body. When hormone levels are too high, negative feedback mechanisms decrease hormone production, and when hormone levels are too low, negative feedback mechanisms increase hormone production. This ensures that hormone levels remain within a stable range and that bodily functions are appropriately regulated.
Question 4:
The nervous system plays a crucial role in chemical messengers that bind to target cells by releasing neurotransmitters that stimulate or inhibit hormone release from the endocrine glands. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, sends nerve impulses to the pituitary gland, which regulates the secretion of hormones that control various functions in the body. The nervous system also modulates the effects of hormones by regulating the sensitivity of target cells to the hormones they produce.
Question 5:
An enlarged thyroid gland, or goiter, can cause hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. Hyperthyroidism can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as neck pain. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, and an excess of thyroid hormone can cause an overactive metabolism and subsequent symptoms such as weight loss, tremors, and heat intolerance.
Question 6:
Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels properly. There are two types of diabetes: type 1, which is characterized by a lack of insulin production, and type 2, which is characterized by insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose uptake in the body. In diabetes, glucose levels can become too high or too low, leading to a variety of symptoms such as confusion, thirst, and unconsciousness. In an unconscious diabetic, prompt intervention is necessary to regulate glucose levels and prevent further complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Treatment may involve administering insulin or glucose orally or intravenously, depending on the patient’s condition. Education and lifestyle changes can also help manage diabetes and prevent future complications.