NURS 6501 Week 6 Concepts of Endocrine Disorders

Endocrine disorders are complex matters, and there is not always a one-size-fits-all treatment. Particularly in matters requiring the adjustment of hormone levels, treatment may require a custom approach tailored to individual patients. An understanding of these complications is essential to supporting these individual treatment plans.

This week, you examine alterations in the endocrine system and the resultant disease processes. You also consider patient characteristics, including racial and ethnic variables, and the impact they have on altered physiology.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze concepts and principles of pathophysiology across the lifespan

Learning Resources

  • McCance, K. L. & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier.
  • Chapter 21: Mechanisms of Hormonal Regulation, including Summary Review
  • Chapter 22: Alterations of Hormonal Regulation, including Summary Review
  • Chapter 23: Obesity and Disorders of Nutrition, including Summary Review
  • American Diabetes Association (2020). Standards of medical care of patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 26(suppl 1), pp. s33-s50. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/suppl_1/s33

Online Media from Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children

In addition to this week’s media, it is highly recommended that you access and view the resources included with the course text, Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Focus on the videos and animations in Chapters 21 through 23 related to the endocrine system and disorders. Refer to the Learning Resources in Week 1 for registration instructions. If you have already registered, you may access the resources at https://evolve.elsevier.com/

Knowledge Check: Endocrine Disorders

In this exercise, you will complete a 10- to 20-essay type question Knowledge Check to gauge your understanding of this module’s content.

Possible topics covered in this Knowledge Check include:

  • Diabetes
  • Hyper- and hypothyroidism
  • Adrenal disorders
  • Parathyroidism (hyper and hypo)
  • Checks & balances / negative feedback
  • Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
  • Pheochromocytomas 
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis

To complete this Knowledge Check:

Module 4 Knowledge Check Midterm Exam

This 101-question exam is a test of your knowledge in preparation for your certification exam. No outside resources, including books, notes, websites, or any other type of resource, are to be used to complete this exam. You are expected to comply with Walden University’s Code of Conduct.

This exam will be on topics covered in Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Prior to starting the exam, you should review all of your materials. This exam is timed with a limit of 2 hours for completion. When time is up, your exam will automatically submit.

(Note: It is strongly recommended that you take the Knowledge Check at least 48 hours before taking the Midterm exam.) To prepare:

To help you review for your midterm exam, access the Midterm Exam Review document found in this week’s Learning Resources as well as any Knowledge Check feedback you might have received. (Note: You will also need to review all of your materials from each of these weeks to also help you better prepare for your midterm.)