Nursing Practice Knowledge and Care: Endocrine, Renal and Respiratory Systems

Nursing Practice Knowledge and Care

Section 2a: Endocrine System
Question 1: Name 4 hormones that are produced by the pituitary gland or are stored or
released by the gland and describe their function.
The 4 hormones which are secreted by the pituitary gland is as mentioned below:
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): these hormones are generally a
glycoproteins which can enhances the production of the thyroid hormones such as
T3 and T4 cells by the thyroid gland. In addition to this, the thyroid hormones can
play an essential role in regulating the metabolism, the energy homoeostasis,
growth as well as the activities of the nervous system. Furthermore, the additional
production of the thyroid stimulating hormones can specifically leads to the
hyperthyroidism, whereas a lack of it can cause hypothyroidism.
 Growth hormone: The hormone can enhances the growth among children as well
as can participate in maintaining the several body tissues or organs among adults
consisting the liver, bones and muscle tissues and fat.
 Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): The hormone is also called as vasopressin. It can
specifically control the water retention by the kidney as well as can modulate the
mineral concentration and balance of fluids within the human body. It can cause
the blood vessel constriction.
 Follicle-stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone: These both hormones are
collaboratively known as gonadotrophins, that can enhances the ovary to release
the progesterone and estrogen as well as the testes to produce the testosterone.
These both Follicle-stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone can play an
essential part in regulating the growth as well as maturation of egg cells and
sperm as well.

Question 2b: Compare and contrast up regulation and down regulation as it pertains to the
endocrine system.
This system is responsible for regulating all the biological processes going on inside a
human being through out his life span consists of various glands and organs responsible
for secreting hormones which regulate the processes. The main parts of the endocrine
system consist of hypothalamus the control coordinating centre of the brain and is also
called the thermostat of the body, the pituitary which is also known as the master gland
and the other glands and organs which are regulated by the pituitary.
The pituitary controls the functioning of thyroid gland, adrenal gland, testes and the
ovaries. The glands which are not in control of pituitary are parathyroids and the thymus.
The upregulation of endocrine system involves an increase in the number of receptors to
which the hormones released by these glands bind to which leads to increased
sensitization of cells to the released hormones. Upregulation can result in increased
release of hormones like thyroid hormones and other gender related hormones leading to
over expression of effects of hormones. Down regulation involves desensitization of
receptors towards the hormones released by the endocrine system leading to
comparatively less effect of the hormones. Both up and down regulation leads to
imbalance in the functioning of the glands as well as the body.