Question

Please choose 2 questions from each section and discuss it?

Section 1:

1. What can nurses do to help patients prepare and deal with the psychological toll of the physical and emotional toll of infertility treatments?
2. Magnesium sulfate is used to treat preeclampsia. How does this medication work to help this disorder? How does this medication affect the fetus?
3. Should Mifeprex be made available as an OTC med for women who want it?

Section 2:

1. What are Myxedema, Cretenism and Thyroid Storm?

2. What OTC should the patient taking thyroid meds avoid and why?
3. What are the uses and precautions for I-131?
4. Should thyroid hormones be given for weight loss?

Answer 1

Section 1.

2. Magnesium, is the drug of choice in eclampsia. This drug oppose the calcium dependent vasospasm, causing a relief of vasoconstriction, leading to reduction in blood pressure. Magnesium may also prevent cell damage and death, by antagonizing the increase in intracellular calcium concentration caused by ischemia.

3. Mifeprix can not be made an OTC medication as this drug can cause abortions during the early part of a pregnancy. This drug is used up to week 10 of pregnancy. The drug blocks Progesterone causing abortions and the drug is used in combination with Misoprostol. In ectopic pregnancy, the drug causes rupture and may lead to an emergency situation. Therefore the drug may be used prescription from a registered physician or gynecologist only.

Section 2

1. Myxedema is severe form of hypothyroidism that usually occurs when the condition is left untreated or is not treated sufficiently. Myxedema refers to the effects that hypothyroidism can have on the skin, making it appear swollen and puffy due to deposition of mucopolysaccharides in the dermis.

Cretinism is Congenital hypothyroidism or the under activity of thyroid hormones from birth. The condition results in growth retardation, developmental delay, and other abnormal features. The deficiency of Iodine in maternal diet during pregnancy can be a cause for Cretinism.

Thyroid storm is overactivity of thyroid gland and is potentially life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism It is a rare but severe condition characterized by a high fever , elevated blood pressure, fast and often irregular heart beat, vomiting, diarrhea, and agitation. The condition can lead to shock, heart failure and heart attack.

4. Earlier thyroid hormones were given to treat weight loss as intake of thyroid hormones assisted in weight loss faster. BUT once the thyroid hormones are stopped, the regain of the lost weight was found. Also the excess use of thyroid hormones resulted in metabolic disorders and depletion of muscle protein and body fat. Therefore the thyroid hormones are not recommended for weight gain.