9.3 Glossary

From Chapter 28 

basal insulin dosing

an important component in diabetes management because it acts as a background insulin that is designed to stabilize blood glucose levels during times of fasting

bolus

a single dose of a drug being administered

continuous glucose monitor

a device that monitors blood glucose levels on a continual basis

diabetes

a disease that results from a deficiency in insulin that leads to alterations in the metabolism of glucose, fats, and proteins

fasting blood glucose

a test that measures the blood sugar level after an overnight fasting period

glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c)

a test that measures the blood sugar level over the past 60 to 90 days

hyperglycemia

a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level in the body is above the normal range of 70–110 mg/dL and the body has too little insulin or is insulin resistant, making it unable to lower the blood glucose level on its own

hypoglycemia

a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level in the body falls below the normal range of 70–110 mg/dL

insulin

a hormone released by β cells from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas after eating a meal that helps the body’s cells absorb glucose for energy

insulin pen

a pen-shaped injector device that combines insulin and a syringe in one unit; insulin pens are prefilled with an insulin cartridge or have a prefilled insulin reservoir

insulin pump

a small, computerized infusion set device that delivers insulin

ketoacidosis

a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body breaks down fat too quickly, causing the liver to produce ketones, which in turn causes the blood to become acidic

non-insulin injectable diabetes drugs

drugs that provide an alternative to insulin therapy for those with type 2 diabetes; they act on hormones that are secreted along with insulin by the pancreas to control glucose homeostasis

oral diabetes drugs

drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels

peak time

the time during which insulin is at its maximum strength in terms of lowering blood glucose levels; individuals are at a higher risk of developing hypoglycemic symptoms when insulin is peaking

pheochromocytoma

a rare non-cancerous tumor that develops in the adrenal gland that causes an excessive release of adrenal hormones

polydipsia

increased thirst

polyphagia

increased hunger

polyuria

frequent urination

random blood glucose

a test that measures the blood sugar level at the time tested

sliding scale coverage

varying the dose of insulin based on the blood glucose level

subcutaneous

situated or applied under the skin

titrated

continuously measuring and adjusting the balance of a drug dosage

type 1 diabetes

an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the β cells in the pancreas that make insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels

type 2 diabetes

a disorder that occurs as a result of the body not making enough insulin or not using insulin well

From Chapter 27

antithyroid drugs

inhibit the thyroid hormone so that the body can maintain normal thyroid homeostasis

bisphosphonates

pyrophosphate analogues that inhibit bone resorption and increase bone density

calcimimetics

drugs that mimic the action of calcium in the parathyroid glands or other tissues

calcitonin

a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium

Chvostek sign

a twitch of the facial muscles that occurs with gentle tapping of the cheek and in front of the ear

dihydroxyvitamin D₃

an active form of vitamin D₃ that increases uptake of calcium absorption in the intestine

endocrine glands

glands within the endocrine system that release hormones to control processes that occur within the body

goiter

an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland

Graves’ disease

an immune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones

Hashimoto thyroiditis

an autoimmune disorder that involves chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism

iodine

a mineral that the body needs to produce thyroid hormones

iodotyrosine

an iodo-derivative of tyrosine that acts as an intermediary in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormone

myxedema coma

a rare life-threatening condition caused by advanced hypothyroidism that affects the body’s temperature, growth, heart rate, and metabolism

organification

the biochemical process that takes place in the thyroid gland, involving the incorporation of iodine into thyroglobulin for the production of thyroid hormone

osteoclast

a large multinucleated cell responsible for the dissolution and absorption of bone

osteonecrosis

the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply

osteoporosis

a condition that leads to the loss of bone mass, which thereby weakens bone

Paget’s disease

a disease that disrupts the body’s normal bone recycling process of replacing old bone tissue with new bone tissue

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

a peptide hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that regulates serum calcium within the body

thyroglobulin

a protein present in the thyroid gland from which thyroid hormones are synthesized

thyroid drugs

drugs that replace the thyroid hormone so that the body can maintain its normal function

thyroid gland

a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck below the voice box that is responsible for metabolism and iodine homeostasis within the body

thyroid storm (thyrotoxic crisis)

a rare life-threatening condition that occurs when the thyroid gland releases too much thyroid hormone

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

a hormone that stimulates the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine; also known as thyrotropin

thyroxine (T4)

a hormone released by the thyroid gland that contains iodine and that increases the rate of chemical reactions within cells

triiodothyronine (T3)

a hormone released by the thyroid gland that plays a role in controlling the body’s metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and function, and bone maintenance

Trousseau sign

an involuntary contraction of the muscles in the hand and wrist

Next- Module 10