Chapter 30, Problem 3O

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The nursing care plan for the pituitary drugs, namely desmopressin, vasopressin, octreotide, and somatropin.

Concept introduction:

The pituitary gland consists of the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary, which differ by their origin and functions. The anterior lobe of the pituitary is derived from the invagination of the oral ectoderm. The hypothalamus stimulates or inhibits the production of hormones from the anterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary synthesizes and secretes endocrine hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prolactin, and growth hormone (GH). The anterior pituitary hormones regulate metabolism, growth, and reproduction and also regulate other endocrine glands and tissues.

The posterior pituitary or posterior lobe is an extension of the hypothalamus nervous tissues and it is not a true gland. The posterior pituitary hormones, namely antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin are synthesized by neurosecretory cells located in the hypothalamus. Then these hormones travel and store in the posterior pituitary. The posterior pituitary hormones will be released when they receive the response or signals from the hypothalamus. The posterior pituitary hormones regulate water retention by the kidney and reproduction.