A 35-year-old woman reports lethargy, difficulty remembering things, facial edema, dry skin, and cessation of menses. The nurse notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute and a weight increase of 5 pounds from a previous visit. The nurse suspects the patient will be diagnosed with which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of lethargy, difficulty remembering things, facial edema, dry skin, weight gain, and cessation of menses suggest hypothyroidism, specifically myxedema. The heart rate of 60 beats per minute is also consistent with hypothyroidism. Cretinism refers to congenital hypothyroidism, usually identified at birth or in infancy. Early menopause would not present with the same symptoms and would typically occur closer to age 50. Hyperthyroidism would present with symptoms such as weight loss, palpitations, and heat intolerance.

A 35-Year-Old Woman Reports Lethargy, Difficulty Remembering Things, Facial Edema