Question 1

Which of the following information should the nurse include when teaching a client who has been newly diagnosed with Graves' disease?

Accepted Answer

Medications used to block the synthesis of thyroid hormones may take several weeks before an effect is seen. Large doses of iodine are used to inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Exercise using large muscle groups is encouraged to decrease the irritability and hyperactivity associated with high levels of thyroid hormones. Radioactive iodine is the most common treatment for Graves' disease although surgery may be used.

Question 2

Aclient is being treated with a medication to block the effect of antidiuretic hormone to control the symptoms of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which of the following findings indicates that the medication is effective?

Accepted Answer

Agents that block the effect of ADH on the renal tubules may be prescribed, thereby allowing more dilution of urine leading to an increased urine output. An increase in weight or an increase in urine specific gravity indicates that the SIADH is not corrected.
Peripheral edema does not occur with SIADH. A sudden weight gain without edema is a common clinical manifestation of this disorder.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a client with chronic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) about long-term management. Which of the following client statements indicate that additional instruction is needed?

Accepted Answer

Clients with SIADH are at risk for hyponatremia, and a sodium supplement may be prescribed. The other client statements are correct and indicate successful teaching has occurred.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a client following a parathyroidectomy who develops tingling of the lips and a positive Trousseau's sign. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

The client's symptoms suggest mild hypocalcemia. The symptoms of hypocalcemia will be temporarily reduced by having the client breathe into a paper bag, which will raise the PaCO2 and create a more acidic pH. The muscle relaxant will have no impact on the ionized calcium level. Although severe hypocalcemia can cause laryngeal stridor, there is no indication that this client is experiencing laryngeal stridor or needs oxygen. Calcium supplements will be given to normalize calcium levels quickly, but oral supplements will take time to be absorbed.

Question 5

The nurse is assessing a client with suspected acromegaly at the clinic. To assist in making the diagnosis, which question should the nurse ask?

Accepted Answer

Acromegaly causes an enlargement of the hands and feet. Head injury and family history are not risk factors for acromegaly. Tremors and anxiety are not clinical manifestations of acromegaly.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a client with primary hyperparathyroidism who has a serum calcium level of 3.5 mmol/L and a phosphorus of 0.55 mmol/L. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Accepted Answer

The client with hypercalcemia is at risk for kidney stones, which may be prevented by a high fluid intake. Seizure precautions and monitoring for Chvostek's or Trousseau's sign are appropriate for hypocalcemic clients. The client should engage in weight-bearing exercise to decrease calcium loss from bone.

Question 7

Which of the following findings for a client who takes levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism indicates that the nurse should contact the health care provider before administering the medication?

Accepted Answer

An increased thyroxine level indicates the levothyroxine dose needs to be decreased. The other data are consistent with hypothyroidism and the nurse should administer the Synthroid.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for an older-adult client who is diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has a prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the following assessments is most important for the nurse to make during initiation of thyroid replacement?

Accepted Answer

In older clients, initiation of levothyroxine therapy can increase myocardial oxygen demand and cause angina or dysrhythmias. The medication is also expected to improve mental status and fluid balance and will increase metabolic rate and nutritional needs, but these changes will not result in potentially life-threatening complications.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a client with hyperthyroidism who is being treated with radioactive iodine (RAI) at the clinic. Which of the following information should the nurse provide to the client prior to discharge?

Accepted Answer

There is a high incidence of postradiation hypothyroidism after RAI, and the client should be monitored for symptoms of hypothyroidism. RAI has a delayed response, with the maximum effect not seen for 2-3 months, and the client will continue to take antithyroid medications during this time. The therapeutic dose of radioactive iodine is low enough that no radiation safety precautions are needed.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a client with possible syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The client is confused and reports a headache, muscle cramps, and twitching. Which of the following initial laboratory results should the nurse anticipate?

Accepted Answer

When water is retained, the serum sodium level will drop below normal, causing the clinical manifestations reported by the client. The hematocrit will decrease because of the dilution caused by water retention. Urine will be more concentrated with a higher specific gravity. The serum chloride level will usually decrease along with the sodium level.

Question 11

The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client scheduled for a hypophysectomy for treatment of a pituitary adenoma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in client teaching?

Accepted Answer

The client should be taught that they will have a NG tube after surgery. It is not necessary to remain on bed rest after this surgery. Coughing is discouraged because it may cause leakage of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) from the suture line. The head of the bed should be elevated 30 degrees to reduce pressure on the sella turcica and decrease the risk for headaches.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a client who had radical neck surgery and develops hypoparathyroidism. Which of the following information should the nurse should include in the teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

Oral calcium supplements are used to maintain the serum calcium in normal range and prevent the complications of hypocalcemia. Whole-grain foods decrease calcium absorption and will not be recommended. Bisphosphonates will lower serum calcium levels further by preventing calcium from being reabsorbed from bone. Kidney stones are not a complication of hypoparathyroidism and low calcium levels.

Question 13

Aclient is suspected of having a pituitary tumour causing panhypopituitarism. During assessment of the client, which of the following findings should the nurse anticipate?

Accepted Answer

Changes in secondary sex characteristics are associated with decreases in
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Fasting hypoglycemia and hypotension occur in panhypopituitarism as a result of decreases in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. Bradycardia is likely due to the decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones associated with panhypopituitarism.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a client with Graves' disease who has exophthalmos. Which of the following actions shouldbe included in the plan of care?

Accepted Answer

The client should sit upright as much as possible to promote fluid drainage from the periorbital area. With exophthalmos the client is unable to close the eyes completely. Lubrication of the eyes, rather than eye patches, will protect the eyes from developing corneal scarring. The swelling of the eye is not caused by excessive blood flow to the eye, so cold packs will not be helpful.

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a client in a long-term care facility who has these medications prescribed. After the client is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which of the following medications should the nurse report to the health care provider?

Accepted Answer

Worsening of mental status and myxedema coma can be precipitated by the use of sedatives, especially in older adults. The nurse should discuss the diazepam with the health care provider before administration. The other medications may be given safely to the client.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a client who has had a transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary tumour. Which of the following nursing actions should be included in the postoperative plan of care?

Accepted Answer

After pituitary surgery, the client is at risk for diabetes insipidus caused by cerebral edema and monitoring of urine output and urine specific gravity is essential. Hemorrhage is not a common problem. There is no need to check the hematocrit hourly. The client is at risk for dehydration, not volume overload. The client is not at high risk for problems with oxygenation, and continuous pulse oximetry is not needed.

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a client with symptoms of diabetes insipidus who has been admitted to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is best for this client?

Accepted Answer

Nocturia occurs as a result of the polyuria caused by diabetes insipidus. Edema, excess fluid volume, and fluid retention are not expected.

Question 18

A few hours after returning to the surgical nursing unit, a client who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy develops laryngeal stridor and a cramp in the right hand. Which of the following actions should the nurse anticipate implementing first?

Accepted Answer

The client's clinical manifestations of stridor and cramping are consistent with tetany caused by hypocalcemia resulting from damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. Endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy may be needed if the calcium does not resolve the stridor. Suctioning will not correct the stridor.

Question 19

The nurse is planning teaching for a client who was admitted with myxedema coma and diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which of the following strategies isbest for the nurse to use?

Accepted Answer

Written instructions will be helpful to the client because initially the hypothyroid client may be unable to remember to take medications and other aspects of self-care. Since the treatment regimen is somewhat complex, teaching should be initiated well before discharge. Family members or friends should be included in teaching because the hypothyroid client is likely to forget some aspects of the treatment plan. A simpler regimen will be easier to understand until the client is euthyroid.

Question 20

Which of the following information should the nurse include when teaching a client about use of somatropin?

Accepted Answer

Somatropin is injected subcutaneously on a daily basis, preferably in the evening. The client will need to continue on somatropin for life. If swelling or other adverse effects occur, the health care provider should be notified. Growth hormone will increase blood glucose levels.

Quiz 51: Nursing Management Endocrine Problems