HYPOTHYROIDISM

The Role of Nursing in Hypothyroidism



Abstract

Hypothyroidism, when not treated properly, may lead to diabetes. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the application of nursing process to hypothyroidism. Moreover, it discusses the ethical implications in the profession by exploring the ethical concerns that can arise from managed care delivery systems and the role of advanced practice nurses along with the possible implications for nursing practice and research. It analyzes the findings and results of the research article. This discussion includes the identification of the caritas process, population sample in the article and its application to other patients of hypothyroidism.

The Role of Nursing in Hypothyroidism

Introduction

The role of nursing in the treatment hypothyroidism is highly significant. Since the expert and specialist medical practitioners are not available all the time, nurse is the only staff member one could turn to in such situations. In order to analyze the nursing process with respect to hypothyroidism, it is imperative to know the nature of illness and its therapy.

Hypothyroidism is a permanent illness which affects the thyroid glands. It requires a lifelong treatment except for a very minor percentage of patients who get lucky enough to get out of it in their life time. Since, the illness of hypothyroidism slow down the body process, it also affect the production of insulin. It is very important that the patient of hypothyroidism receives proper treatment before it catches diabetes or any other dire consequence (Egede, Zheng, and Simpson 2002). The reason for this problem could be numerous, it could be because the human body loses its ability to develop adequate amount of insulin or cells in the body could stop responding to the insulin, which is being produced by the body.

The treatment for the cure or to control the hypothyroidism is synthetic thyroxine (T4). Approximately eighty percent of a dose of T4 is absorbed and, because the plasma half life of T4 is of seven days, once daily treatment results in nearly constant serum T4 and triiodothyronine that is T3, concentrations when a steady state is reached

This paper elaborates the role of nursing in effective treatment and cure of hypothyroidism. It presents a brief overview of the disease followed by its causes and the role on nursing in hypothyroidism. Moreover, the ethical implications in this field are also presented.

Causes of hypothyroidism

Therapy for hyperthyroidism

Radioactive iodine (131I)

Medications

Lithium

Iodine compounds

Radiation to head and neck for treatment of head and neck cancers.

Infiltrative diseases of the thyroid

Deficiency or excess of Iodine

Nursing Care of Patients with Hypothyroidism

Patients with hypothyroidism suffer from decreased level of energy and moderate to severe level of lethargy. As a result, they face the increased risk of complications. Their ability and potential to participate in activities and behave normally is restricted by the changes in cardiovascular and pulmonary status which is secondary to hypothyroidism. In this regard, the role of a nurse lies with helping with extreme care and hygiene, at the same time encouraging and motivating the patient to involve themselves in activities within established and allowed tolerance levels to ...