Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 35 S4.2 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.35.S4.2

ECE2014 Symposia Endocrine Nurses Session 1: Craniopharyngioma (3 abstracts)

The role of the endocrine nurse in the long term care and treatment of patients post craniopharyngioma

Kathryn Clark


University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.


After the crisis of diagnosis and surgery for craniopharyngioma, patients and families are immediately faced with the lifetime challenge of pituitary replacement therapy. The endocrine nurse assists the patient in adapting to the regimen required for a return to normal hormonal balance and optimal health. Nurses teach the purpose of prescribed hormones, and reinforce the most effective method and scheduling of each medication; this must be individualized for each patient. Deficiencies in thyroid, cortisol, gonadotropins, ADH, and GH can occur, each with its own challenges for compliance and optimal absorption. A diagnosis of diabetes insipidus is especially challenging to patients and providers. Cortisol deficiency is also a life threatening condition, and families need to acquire complete competence with stress dosing and injections; these are skills that nurses must reinforce on a regular basis. Craniopharyngioma is highly linked to significant changes in appetite and weight gain. Nurses provide education about these risks and assistance with anticipatory lifestyle changes. While the diagnosis is uncommon, all the elements of optimal care are in the expertise of the endocrine nurse. This talk will review these pituitary challenges and also the challenges of the pediatric population.

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