Final answer:
Propylthiouracil is an antithyroid medication used to treat Grave's disease by inhibiting thyroid hormone synthesis. Nurses must assess thyroid function and monitor for side effects to adjust the dosage. Other treatments may involve hormone replacement or radioactive iodine therapy for imaging and treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatment of Grave's Disease with Propylthiouracil:
Grave's disease is a form of hyperthyroidism where the thyroid gland produces excess hormones, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, increased heart rate, and insomnia. To manage this condition, antithyroid drugs like propylthiouracil are used to inhibit thyroperoxidase. This helps reduce the overproduction of thyroid hormones. An assessment by a nurse would involve monitoring for signs of adequate control of thyroid function or for side effects of the medication. As propylthiouracil affects iodine uptake and thyroid hormone synthesis, periodic monitoring of thyroid function tests is essential to adjust medication dosage appropriately.
Treatments for hypothyroidism typically involve hormone replacement therapy, needing regular monitoring to ensure proper levels of thyroid hormones. The treatment for hyperthyroidism may involve radioactive iodine (I-131) therapy, which targets the thyroid gland directly. This isotope is used both in treatment and diagnostic imaging, as it accumulates in the thyroid and its radiation can be detected for imaging purposes. However, in the case of antithyroid drugs like propylthiouracil, the therapeutic approach aims to inhibit the thyroid gland's hormone synthesis without the use of radioisotopes.