AACN clinical issues in critical care nursing
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AACN Clin Issues Crit Care Nurs · May 1992
ReviewEndocrine responses to the stress of critical illness.
The physiologic and psychologic stress of critical illness produces systemic endocrine responses that affect the body's ability to achieve and maintain homeostasis. Regardless of the nature of the stress or illness, specific hormonal changes occur in thyroid, adrenal, and posterior pituitary activity. This article describes the physiologic and pathophysiologic basis underlying endocrine responses to the stress of critical illness. The critical care nurse is challenged by the complexity of this patient and needs to be familiar with the endocrine responses to critical illness for assessment and clinical interventions to be meaningful.
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Hyperglycemic emergencies are the most common endocrinopathies that require intensive care. It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of patients admitted to intensive care units experience complications of acute hyperglycemia. The common denominator of hyperglycemic emergencies is diabetes mellitus, a group of diseases in which, either because of beta-cell destruction of the pancreas or insulin receptor-site defects, there is a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin that results in hyperglycemia. ⋯ The more lethal disorder of HHNK was "rediscovered" in the 1950s and is occurring with greater frequency as clinical awareness of the condition grows and the elderly (who are at greatest risk for the disorder) populate critical care units in increasing numbers. Prevention is instrumental in abating deadly hyperglycemic emergencies. A positive outcome can be realized but only with timely diagnosis and prompt hormonal and fluid replacement.