Question 1

A patient is being treated for renal disease.When discussing the impact of this disorder on hormone balance,which hormone should the nurse explain increases calcium absorption by the kidneys?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone increases the reabsorption of calcium and the excretion of phosphate by the kidneys and activates vitamin D.A.B.D.ADH increases water reabsorption,calcitonin causes calcium loss,and aldosterone causes sodium and water retention.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing a patient for a thyroid scan.Which explanation by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

For a thyroid scan,a radioactive material is injected or radioactive iodine is taken orally.The material is taken up by the thyroid gland.After a specified time,the thyroid gland is scanned with a scintillation camera.The scan will show "hot spots," which are nodules that are not malignant,or "cold spots" (areas that do not take up the radioactivity),which indicate malignancy.B.Ultrasound uses sound waves.A.It is not a simple x-ray.D.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)uses magnetic energy.

Question 3

A patient is diagnosed with insufficient levels of antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin.Which gland should the nurse suspect is malfunctioning in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus produces antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin.D.The posterior pituitary gland stores antidiuretic hormone (sometimes called vasopressin)and oxytocin.C.The anterior pituitary synthesizes and secretes growth hormone,thyroid-stimulating hormone,adrenocorticotropic hormone,prolactin,follicle-stimulating hormone,and luteinizing hormone.B.The adrenal cortex secretes three types of steroid hormones: mineralocorticoids,glucocorticoids,and sex hormones.

Question 4

The nurse has decided to avoid palpating a patient's thyroid gland.For which health problem has the nurse made this decision?

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland should never be palpated in a patient with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism,because this can stimulate secretion of additional thyroid hormone.A.B.D.This is not a danger with hypothyroidism,goiter (unless accompanied by hyperthyroidism),or hypoparathyroidism.

Question 5

A physician is palpating a patient's thyroid gland.How can the nurse assist with this procedure?

Accepted Answer

The nurse can assist with positioning the patient,providing water,and instructing the patient to take a sip of water and hold it in his or her mouth until told to swallow.B.C.D.Swallowing would be difficult or unsafe in a supine position,with an extended neck,or during a deep breath.

Question 6

The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient who had an oral glucose tolerance test.Which value indicates to the nurse that the patient has diabetes mellius?

Accepted Answer

Blood glucose greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL at 2 hours is diagnostic for diabetes mellitus.A.B.C.Levels between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicate pre-diabetes.

Question 7

The nurse is reviewing the regulation of blood glucose level for a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Which two hormones should the nurse explain work in opposition to regulate the blood glucose level?

Accepted Answer

Glucagon stimulates the liver to catabolize glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis)and to increase gluconeogenesis to use fats and excess amino acids for energy production.The overall effect,therefore,is to raise the blood glucose level for cellular uptake and respiration.Insulin decreases the blood glucose level by increasing the use of glucose for energy,promoting the storage of excess glucose,and decreasing energy production from other food sources.B.C.D.Epinephrine,aldosterone,cortisol,and thyroxine can all raise blood glucose; calcitonin does not affect glucose.

Question 8

The nurse is collecting data on a patient's endocrine system.Which endocrine gland should the nurse expect to palpate?

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland is the only palpable endocrine gland.A.C.D.The pancreas,adrenals,and pituitary are too deep to be palpated.

Question 9

A patient is suspected as having an imbalance of hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.The nurse realizes that this gland functions in response to which structure?

Accepted Answer

The anterior pituitary gland secretes its hormones in response to releasing hormones from the hypothalamus.A.C.The thyroid and adrenal glands do not secrete releasing hormones.D.The posterior pituitary stores hormones that are produced by the hypothalamus.

Question 10

The nurse is participating in the teaching of a patient with diabetes mellitus.During this teaching,which two hormones should the nurse explain causes the liver to convert glycogen to glucose?

Accepted Answer

Glucagon and epinephrine both stimulate the liver to convert glycogen to glucose.A.B.D.Thyroxine,PTH,and oxytocin do not directly affect glucose levels.Insulin causes glucose to be stored as glycogen.

Question 11

A 62-year-old patient is experiencing a reduction in energy.Which comment by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Decreases in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)and thyroid hormone cause a decrease in the basal metabolic rate and may result in decreased energy.A.B.Most of the endocrine glands decrease their secretions with age,but normal aging usually does not lead to serious hormone deficiencies or illness.Unless specific pathological conditions develop,the endocrine system usually continues to function adequately in old age.D.Low parathyroid hormone is not a common cause of tiredness.

Question 12

A patient has an elevated calcitonin.What should the nurse realize that stimulates the release of calcitonin from the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

The stimulus for secretion of calcitonin is hypercalcemia (a high blood calcium level).C.When the blood calcium level rises,increased calcitonin ensures that no more will be removed from bones until the need for blood calcium returns.A.B.Potassium levels do not affect calcitonin release.

Question 13

The nurse is reviewing the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus with a patient newly diagnosed with the disorder.Which hormone should the nurse explain lowers the blood glucose level by enabling cells to take in glucose?

Accepted Answer

Insulin increases the transport of glucose from the blood into cells by increasing the permeability of cell membranes to glucose,thereby lowering blood glucose.B.C.D.Growth hormone,cortisol,and glucagon can all raise blood glucose levels.

Question 14

The nurse is assessing a patient with a thyroid disorder.What question by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss is associated with hyperthyroidism; weight gain with hypothyroidism.C.D.Numbness,tingling,and muscle spasms are associated with hypocalcemia.B.Thirst is common with diabetes insipidus and mellitus.

Question 15

A patient has a calcium level of 11.7 mg/100 mL.Which hormone should the nurse expect to be elevated in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The stimulus for secretion of calcitonin is hypercalcemia.B.C.T? and T? increase cellular respiration of glucose and fatty acids,which increases the metabolic rate.D.Antidiuretic hormone increases water reabsorption by the kidney tubules,which decreases urine output.

Question 16

The nurse must collect a 24-hour urine specimen for cortisol.The patient is incontinent.How can the nurse collect the specimen?

Accepted Answer

If the patient is incontinent or otherwise unable to participate in the test,a catheter may need to be inserted.If the patient already has an indwelling catheter,a new bag and tubing should be attached before the start of the test.C.D.The urine must be examined in the laboratory,so wet briefs will not be useful.A.Keeping the patient on a bedpan can cause pressure ulcers.

Question 17

The nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing a negative feedback affect from a hormone.What statement should the nurse use to explain this process to the patient?

Accepted Answer

The effects of the hormone often reverse the stimulus and ultimately lead to decreased secretion of the hormone.This is called a negative feedback system; many hormone secretions are regulated this way.B.C.D.These statements do not correctly explain negative feedback for hormone regulation.

Question 18

A patient is having a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)stimulation test.After injection of TRH,what response should the nurse expect in a patient with normal thyroid function?

Accepted Answer

In a TRH stimulation test,TRH is injected.If the pituitary gland responds appropriately,TSH is secreted.If the thyroid gland responds appropriately to the TSH,T? and T? levels rise.D.Failure of the TRH to stimulate TSH and thyroid hormone indicates a pituitary or thyroid condition.A.C.Calcitonin is not affected by TRH.

Question 19

A patient has a disorder affecting the anterior pituitary gland.Which hormone should the nurse expect to be affected in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The anterior pituitary synthesizes and secretes growth hormone,thyroid-stimulating hormone,adrenocorticotropic hormone,prolactin,follicle-stimulating hormone,and luteinizing hormone.A.Thyroid hormone is made by the thyroid gland.B.Parathyroid hormone is made by the parathyroid gland.C.Antidiuretic hormone is made by the posterior pituitary gland.

Question 20

A patient is experiencing a disorder that affects cell division.Which hormone should the nurse suspect is imbalanced in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone (or somatotropin)increases cell division in those tissues capable of mitosis,which is one of the ways it is involved in growth.A.B.C.Thyroxine,insulin,and cortisol do not directly affect growth.

Quiz 38: Endocrine System Function and Assessment