Endocrine Disorders Chart
Disorder
Hormone
Imbalance
Etiology
Key
Signs/Symptoms
Diagnostics
Treatment
Nursing
Considerations
Diabetes Mellitus
(Type 1 & 2)
↓ Insulin (T1) or
insulin
resistance (T2)
Autoimmune (T1),
lifestyle/genetics
(T2)
Polyuria, polydipsia,
polyphagia, weight
loss (T1), fatigue
Fasting blood
glucose,
HbA1c
Insulin (T1),
oral meds (T2),
diet, exercise
Monitor BG, teach
insulin use, manage
diet/exercise
Diabetic
Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Severe insulin
deficiency
Missed insulin,
infection, stress
Kussmaul breathing,
fruity breath,
dehydration
BG > 250,
ketones in
urine,
metabolic
acidosis
IV fluids,
insulin,
electrolyte
replacement
Monitor BG,
potassium, ABGs,
fluid status
Hyperosmolar
Hyperglycemic
Syndrome (HHS)
Insulin
deficiency +
severe
dehydration
T2DM + infection
or stress
Very high BG (>600),
AMS, dehydration,
no ketones
BG, osmolality,
BUN/Cr
IV fluids,
insulin,
electrolytes
Monitor neuro,
fluid/electrolyte
balance
Diabetes Insipidus
(DI)
↓ ADH
Head trauma,
pituitary tumor,
idiopathic
Polyuria, polydipsia,
dehydration, low
urine specific gravity
Water
deprivation
test, serum Na
↑, urine osm ↓
Desmopressin
(DDAVP), fluids
Monitor I/O,
hydration, daily
weights
SIADH
↑ ADH
CNS disorders,
malignancy (lung
CA), meds
Fluid retention,
hyponatremia,
confusion, low UO
Serum Na ↓,
urine Na ↑,
urine osm ↑
Fluid
restriction,
hypertonic
saline,
demeclocycline
Neuro checks,
seizure precautions,
I/O
Hypothyroidism
(Hashimoto’s)
↓ T3/T4
Autoimmune
(Hashimoto’s),
iodine deficiency
Weight gain, cold
intolerance, fatigue,
constipation,
bradycardia
TSH ↑, T3/T4
↓
Levothyroxine
Monitor for
myxedema, educate
lifelong meds, avoid
sedation
Hyperthyroidism
(Graves’)
↑ T3/T4
Autoimmune
(Graves’), tumor
Weight loss, heat
intolerance, tremor,
palpitations,
exophthalmos
TSH ↓, T3/T4
↑, radioactive
iodine uptake
↑
Beta-blockers,
antithyroid
meds, RAI,
surgery
Eye care, avoid
stimulants, monitor
for thyroid storm
