Question 1

At what point is hormonal control over most body systems complete?

Accepted Answer

Hormonal control over most body systems is not fully established until 12 to 18 months of age, as the endocrine system continues to develop and mature during infancy.

Question 2

Which of the following endocrine glands stores vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)?

Accepted Answer

Vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland from where it is released into the bloodstream.

Question 3

Which of the following systems or mechanisms regulates the secretion of aldosterone?

Accepted Answer

The renin-angiotensin system is the primary regulator of aldosterone secretion, responding to low blood pressure or low sodium levels.

Question 4

The nurse working with parents of school-aged children will talk about growth hormone with the parents and stress that this hormone is secreted mainly at which of the following times?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone is primarily secreted during sleep, especially during the early stages of deep sleep. This is when the body focuses on growth and repair processes, making sleep crucial for the development of school-aged children.

Question 5

Which of the following is most commonly the cause of growth hormone deficiency?

Accepted Answer

The most common cause of growth hormone deficiency, especially in children, is an idiopathic condition, meaning it arises spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause. While injury, destruction of the anterior pituitary gland, and infection or irradiation can lead to growth hormone deficiency, these causes are less common than idiopathic conditions.

Question 6

Which of the following tests are conducted to confirm a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Pituitary function testing is conducted to confirm a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency by directly assessing the pituitary gland's ability to produce growth hormone. The other options listed are not specific tests for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency.

Question 7

Which of the following side effects are seen as potential complications to growth hormone therapy given at physiologic replacement doses?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone therapy at physiologic replacement doses can lead to several side effects, including slipped capital femoral epiphysis, pseudotumor cerebri, edema, and sodium retention. These complications are related to the effects of growth hormone on growth plates, intracranial pressure, and fluid balance.

Question 8

Which of the following will the nurse working in a clinic do to maintain the child's self-esteem and a good body image when preparing the child, who has been diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, for a physical exam?

Accepted Answer

Providing a step stool discreetly beside the examining table allows the child to independently access the table, promoting a sense of autonomy and self-esteem without drawing attention to their height.

Question 9

The school nurse is talking with the teacher of a child who has growth hormone deficiency. As an advocate for the child, the school nurse will most need to talk with the teacher about which of the following needs of the child?

Accepted Answer

Children with growth hormone deficiency may appear younger due to their smaller stature, but it's important they are treated according to their chronological age to support appropriate cognitive and social development.

Question 10

The nurse is working with a child who has growth hormone deficiency and who will most likely have a diagnosis of delayed growth and development related to inadequate growth hormone secretion. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is the most likely additional diagnosis for this child?

Accepted Answer

Disturbed body image related to short stature is the most likely additional diagnosis because children with growth hormone deficiency often experience feelings of inadequacy or self-consciousness about their height compared to peers, which can impact their body image.

Question 11

Parents of a child with growth hormone deficiency ask the nurse about the cost of growth hormone, saying that they have heard it is expensive and they have little income. Which of the following is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

The best response is to provide factual information about the cost and then offer to assist in finding financial support through insurance and drug company programs. This approach acknowledges the parents' concerns and provides a constructive way to address them.

Question 12

A child with growth hormone deficiency asks the nurse how many hormone shots he will have to take. The nurse will respond with which of the following answers?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone therapy for children with growth hormone deficiency typically involves daily injections over several years, not just a single dose or a short series. The duration of treatment can vary based on the child's response to therapy, growth rate, and when treatment is started, but it often continues until the child reaches an acceptable height or until the growth plates in the bones have closed.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes precocious puberty in a Caucasian girl and an African-American girl?

Accepted Answer

Precocious puberty is defined as the onset of puberty at an age younger than the established norms. For Caucasian girls, this is typically defined as breast development before the age of 8, and for African-American girls, before the age of 7. Choice A correctly adjusts these ages slightly but reflects the understanding that the onset of puberty can vary by race, with African-American girls often entering puberty earlier than Caucasian girls.

Question 14

Which of the following is most frequently the cause of precocious puberty in females?

Accepted Answer

Idiopathic causes are the most frequently identified reasons for precocious puberty in females, meaning that in many cases, no specific underlying cause can be found despite thorough investigation.

Question 15

When assessing a child with true precocious puberty, the nurse will most likely find which of the following signs or symptoms in addition to evidence of secondary sexual characteristics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When assessing a child with true precocious...

Question 16

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between precocious pseudopuberty and true precocious puberty?

Accepted Answer

In precocious pseudopuberty, the signs of puberty appear without the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which is a key difference from true precocious puberty where this axis is activated, leading to the full spectrum of pubertal development.

Question 17

You are the nurse taking a health history on a young girl with symptoms of precocious puberty. You would most want to ask the girl and her family to do which of the following things?

Accepted Answer

Precocious puberty can be influenced by external factors such as exposure to certain chemicals found in beauty products, which can mimic hormones and potentially trigger early puberty. Asking about birth control pills is relevant because exposure to these hormones could also influence early puberty signs.

Question 18

Which of the following should be included in the physical examination of a young boy who has symptoms and signs of precocious puberty?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following should be included...

Question 19

The nurse assessing a child with precocious puberty will do a careful measurement of upper and lower body ratio. This ratio is best described as a comparison of which of the following measurements?

Accepted Answer

The upper and lower body ratio is measured by comparing the distance from the top of the head to the top of the symphysis pubis (upper segment) and from the symphysis pubis to the bottom of the feet (lower segment).

Question 20

A child who has been diagnosed with precocious puberty is treated with a gonadotropin-releasing Gn-RH) analog. The nurse will do some teaching with the family and will explain that the initial repose to this analog will be:

Accepted Answer

Initially, Gn-RH analogs stimulate gonadotropin release before downregulating receptors and suppressing it.

Quiz 28: Endocrine Alterations