Endocrine System Overview anchors every endocrine nursing skill. Hormones regulate metabolism, fluid balance, growth, and the stress response — but the gland itself has no vital signs. Dysfunction declares through downstream metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, and fluid-electrolyte abnormalities that nurses must recognize and trace back to a hormonal source. The RN identifies *which gland*, *which hormone* (excess or deficit), and *what cascade* is threatening the patient — then acts on that pattern: stabilize, reassess, escalate. Canadian RN and US NCLEX-RN boards test: distinguishing active endocrine disorder from stable management; recognizing when a finding is expected versus dangerous; and knowing when observation escalates to provider notification or rapid response activation.