Question 1

The nurse is providing care for a patient diagnosed with posterior pituitary tumor resulting in oversecretion of hormones. Which manifestation of this disorder will the nurse expect?

Accepted Answer

Oversecretion of hormones from the posterior pituitary, such as vasopressin (ADH), can lead to water retention, resulting in increased blood pressure.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing a patient for a thyroid scan to rule out thyroid cancer. Which instruction does the nurse give the patient prior to the testing?

Accepted Answer

Using the bathroom before the scan helps ensure the patient is comfortable and reduces movement during the test, which can affect the quality of the images.

Question 3

The nurse receives information that an assigned patient is scheduled for an ultrasound of an endocrine gland. Which instruction does the nurse give the patient?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

An older adult patient is experiencing a reduction in energy. Which comment by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Aging causes changes in the basal metabolic rate, which can lead to a reduction in energy. This is a normal physiological change that occurs with age.

Question 5

The nurse is reviewing information with a patient about the normal anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system. Which factor is inaccurate?

Accepted Answer

Endocrine glands do not function entirely independently of each other. Many glands and their hormones are interrelated in complex ways, often regulated through feedback systems that involve multiple glands. For example, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland play a central role in regulating the activity of other endocrine glands.

Question 6

A patient is prescribed a dose of epinephrine. Which effects does the nurse expect the patient to exhibit after receiving this medication? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine decreases peristalsis, increases heart rate and force of contraction, stimulates glycogenolysis in the liver, and causes vasoconstriction in the skin and most viscera. It does not constrict bronchioles; instead, it dilates them.

Question 7

The nurse is aware that a 12-year-old male client is at the fifth percentile on the growth chart for height. Which medical intervention does the nurse expect the HCP to prescribe?

Accepted Answer

GH (Growth Hormone) therapy is commonly prescribed for children who are significantly below the normal height for their age, as indicated by being at the fifth percentile on the growth chart. This intervention aims to stimulate growth and help them reach a height closer to the average for their age group.

Question 8

The nurse is providing care for a patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which information will the nurse give the patient about the response of the pancreas to hypoglycemia?

Accepted Answer

In response to hypoglycemia, pancreatic alpha cells are stimulated to release glucagon, which helps to increase blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.

Question 9

The nurse is assisting with care to a patient who underwent surgery for removal of the thyroid gland. Which symptom contradicts a possible complication of the surgery?

Accepted Answer

Hyperactive bowel sounds do not typically indicate a complication of thyroid gland removal surgery. The other options (A: Decreased calcium in blood, B: Prolonged clotting time, C: Decreased calcitonin levels) are related to potential complications such as hypocalcemia due to accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands, changes in blood clotting, and changes in calcitonin levels, respectively.

Question 10

The licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) is assisting with the physical examination of a patient in the HCP's office. Which physical examination does the LPN/LVN perform?

Accepted Answer

LPNs/LVNs are trained to observe and report abnormal physical characteristics during a patient examination, which is within their scope of practice. Palpation of the flank, thyroid gland, and percussion of the abdomen for organ size are more advanced assessments typically performed by registered nurses or healthcare providers.

Question 11

After reviewing the patient's medical record, the nurse plans to perform a physical examination. Which finding will change the usual process of physical examination?

Accepted Answer

The answer of After reviewing the patient's medical record, the...

Question 12

The nurse is researching information for a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The nurse wants to present the responses by hormones other than insulin. Which information does the nurse avoid?

Accepted Answer

GH and GHIH are not secreted together to maintain normal blood glucose levels and metabolism rates. GHIH inhibits the release of GH and other hormones, and their roles in glucose regulation are more complex.

Question 13

The HCP prescribes a 24-hour urine specimen for cortisol. The patient is incontinent. Which method will the nurse use to collect the specimen?

Accepted Answer

An indwelling catheter is the most effective method for collecting a 24-hour urine specimen in an incontinent patient, as it ensures all urine is collected directly and continuously without loss, which is crucial for accurate measurement of cortisol levels.

Question 14

A patient is diagnosed with adrenal gland dysfunction and is scheduled for a 24-hour urine test. Which action by the nurse in regard to the test is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

For a 24-hour urine test, the first morning urine sample is discarded, and the time is noted. This marks the beginning of the 24-hour collection period. The first voiding is not retained because it does not represent the body's production for the testing period.

Question 15

The nurse is aware that the pancreas is the only gland that is both endocrine and exocrine. Which secretion is related to the endocrine function of the pancreas?

Accepted Answer

Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets, making it a part of the pancreas's endocrine function, which involves secreting hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels.

Question 16

The nurse is aware that the adrenal cortex secretes a variety of hormones. Which is an incorrect function of glucocorticoids?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is aware that the adrenal...

Question 17

A client is identified with a thyroid disorder resulting in hormone deficiency. The HCP prescribes a stimulation test. Which process does the nurse expect for the test?

Accepted Answer

A stimulation test involves injecting a substance into the patient to stimulate the organ or gland in question (in this case, the thyroid) to assess its function and hormone production capabilities.

Question 18

The nurse is preparing a patient to undergo a suppression test to verify adrenal cortex dysfunction. Which reply will the nurse make when the client asks about the expected test procedure?

Accepted Answer

A suppression test for adrenal cortex dysfunction involves administering a steroid hormone to suppress cortisol release. This helps in evaluating the adrenal gland's response and whether it's functioning properly.

Question 19

A patient is experiencing an increased level of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). What should the nurse consider is occurring with this patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is experiencing an increased level...

Question 20

A patient has returned to the unit after a needle biopsy of the thyroid gland to rule out cancer. Which observation is expected by the nurse following the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Following a needle biopsy of the thyroid gland, it is common for patients to experience some pain, but it is usually minimal. A pain level of 2 on a 0-to-10 scale is expected and indicates that the patient is experiencing mild discomfort, which is typical after such a procedure. Moderate bleeding, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and a low oxygen saturation level are not expected outcomes and could indicate complications.

Quiz 38: Endocrine System Function and Assessment