Question 1

A patient has had surgery to remove a tumor of the anterior pituitary. The nurse plans to assess for dysfunction associated with decreased levels of which hormones? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A,B,C,E

Question 2

Which example would help the nurse explain hormone regulation directed by circadian rhythm?

Accepted Answer

The release of cortisol to peak in the early morning is an example of hormone regulation directed by circadian rhythm. Cortisol secretion is highest in the early morning and gradually decreases throughout the day, following a circadian pattern. This is important for maintaining normal physiological functions, such as metabolism, immune response, and stress response.

Question 3

An older adult female has been given instructions concerning an endocrine assessment the nurse will be conducting. Which statement by the patient would indicate that further instruction is necessary?

Accepted Answer

A breast exam is still important in an endocrine assessment for an older adult female because hormone imbalances can affect breast tissue.

Question 4

During an endocrine assessment, the nurse asks specific questions about the patient's employment. What rationale would the nurse provide for this line of questioning?

Accepted Answer

Occupational exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides or industrial chemicals, has been linked to the development of endocrine disorders. Therefore, asking about the patient's occupation can provide valuable information in assessing their endocrine health.

Question 5

A patient presents to the emergency department with reports of suddenly feeling exhausted. The patient reports loss of appetite, inability to sleep, and weight gain of 5 pounds over the last week. Which finding would the nurse evaluate as being least suggestive of an endocrine disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient presents to the emergency department...

Question 6

Following thyroid surgery, a patient develops hypercalcemia. The nurse would suspect which etiology?

Accepted Answer

Hypercalcemia after thyroid surgery is commonly caused by damage to the parathyroid glands. These small glands are located close to or within the thyroid gland and produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood. Damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery can lead to decreased PTH production, resulting in hypercalcemia. Choices A, B, and D are not directly related to the regulation of calcium levels in the body.

Question 7

A patient has not eaten in 12 hours, and the blood sugar is low. The patient's endocrine system has suppressed the production of insulin. Which form of endocrine communication does this condition represent?

Accepted Answer

The suppression of insulin production in response to low blood sugar represents negative feedback, as the endocrine system is responding to a stimulus (low blood sugar) by inhibiting a process (insulin production) in order to maintain homeostasis. Positive feedback would involve an amplifying effect, increasing insulin production in response to low blood sugar, which is not the case here. Unregulated response and free steroidal influence are not relevant to this scenario.

Question 8

The nurse is collecting patient history information as part of the initial clinic visit. Which patient statements would the nurse note as indicating a possible endocrine disorder? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is collecting patient history information...

Question 9

The nurse is conducting a health history interview with a female patient. To best assess the patient's endocrine system, the nurse asks which question?

Accepted Answer

Menstrual cycle regularity is a key indicator of the endocrine system's function in females, specifically with regard to the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Question 10

A patient is hospitalized following trauma to the neck that affected the thyroid gland. The nurse would monitor for changes in which hormone levels? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The trauma to the neck affecting the thyroid gland would most likely affect the levels of thyroid hormones, which include calcitonin, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine. Androgens and thyomamine are not produced by the thyroid gland and would not be affected by this type of trauma.

Question 11

A patient reports to the clinic with complaints of nervousness, weight changes, and a general feeling of ill health. History reveals that the patient recently took a demanding new job that requires frequent air travel across the country. The nurse recognizes which risk factors for endocrine disturbance? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Psychological stress from the new job, physiological stress of travel, and disruption of circadian rhythms are all risk factors for endocrine disturbance. Probable exposure to unfamiliar infection pathogens and ingestion of unfamiliar foods and beverages may be risk factors for infectious diseases, but they are not directly related to endocrine disturbance.

Question 12

The nurse is preparing to discuss the importance of neuroendrocrine regulation with a group of nurses who work in the endocrine clinic. The nurse will explain that this type of regulation facilitates which essential abilities? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Neuroendocrine regulation is crucial for various physiological processes, including reproduction (C), adaptation to external changes (D), and physical growth (E). It involves the interaction between the nervous system and the endocrine system to maintain homeostasis and regulate bodily functions. Critical thinking (A) and reasoning (B) are cognitive processes primarily associated with brain function rather than neuroendocrine regulation.

Question 13

The nurse is preparing to conduct physical assessment of a patient's endocrine system. The nurse will include palpation of which glands in this assessment? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland can be palpated in the neck region for enlargement, nodules, or tenderness. The ovaries can sometimes be palpated during a pelvic exam for masses or tenderness, although this is less commonly done as part of a routine physical examination and more so if there is a specific concern. The adrenal glands, pancreas, and pituitary gland are not palpable due to their deep locations within the body.

Question 14

When caring for a patient diagnosed with Graves' disease, the nurse recognizes the importance of regular monitoring of which laboratory results?

Accepted Answer

Regular monitoring of thyroxine T₄ levels is important in the care of patients with Graves' disease, as this condition involves an overactive thyroid gland producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Monitoring of calcium levels may be important in patients with thyroid disease, but not specifically for Graves' disease. Cortisol levels and urine-specific gravity are not specific to Graves' disease and are not routinely monitored in these patients.

Question 15

A patient with several adult-onset endocrine disorders is concerned that his children may develop similar problems as they grow older. Which information should the nurse provide? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Both option B and D are correct. Endocrine disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and adrenal disorders do tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. However, environmental factors also play a role in the development of these disorders. Therefore, it is important to monitor the children's health and be aware of any potential symptoms or risk factors. Option A and E are incorrect as some endocrine disorders can be genetically transmitted and autoimmune disorders can have a genetic component. Option C is incorrect as it is never too late to take steps to prevent or manage a potential health issue.

Question 16

The nurse performing an assessment of a patient's endocrine system expects to address the structure and function of which glands? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse performing an assessment of a...

Question 17

During an assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's eyes are extremely wide open and bulging. The nurse would conduct additional assessment for which endocrine disorder?

Accepted Answer

The symptom of wide open and bulging eyes is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves' disease.

Question 18

The nurse understands that an alteration in growth hormone can lead to changes in an individual's physical stature. Which finding would cause the nurse to assess for high levels of growth hormone?

Accepted Answer

Acromegaly is caused by excess growth hormone, which can lead to enlargement of the bone and soft tissue, as well as other physical changes. Dwarfism is caused by a deficiency of growth hormone. Hirsutism is excessive hair growth, which may be caused by hormonal imbalances but is not specific to growth hormone. Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in males, which can be caused by hormonal imbalances but is not specific to growth hormone.

Question 19

A patient with hormone imbalance is demonstrating symptoms of dehydration and excessive urination. The nurse realizes that which hormone is most directly associated with these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) regulates the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys. If there is a hormone imbalance affecting the release of ADH, it can lead to excessive urination and dehydration.

Question 20

A patient is diagnosed with a disorder of autocrine regulation. Which explanation of this condition would the nurse provide to the patient and family?

Accepted Answer

Autocrine regulation involves cells responding to hormones that they themselves secrete. When there is a disorder in autocrine regulation, it typically means that the cells are not recognizing or responding appropriately to the hormones they produce, leading to an imbalance.

Quiz 45: Nursing Assessment of the Patient Endocrine Disorders

A patient has had surgery to remove a tumor of the anterior pituitary. The nurse plans to assess for dysfunction associated with decreased levels of which hormones? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply.