Question 1

When reviewing the laboratory values of a patient who is taking antithyroid drugs, the nurse will monitor for which adverse effect?

Accepted Answer

Antithyroid drugs may cause bone marrow suppression, resulting in agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and other problems. The other options are incorrect.

Question 2

A patient who is taking propylthiouracil (PTU) for hyperthyroidism wants to know how this medicine works. Which explanation by the nurse is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Propylthiouracil impedes the formation of thyroid hormone but has no effect on already existing thyroid hormone. The other options are incorrect.

Question 3

A patient, newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, receives a prescription for a thyroid hormone replacement drug. The nurse assesses for which potential contraindication to this drug?

Accepted Answer

Contraindications to thyroid preparations include known drug allergy to a given drug product, recent myocardial infarction, adrenal insufficiency, and hyperthyroidism. The other options are incorrect.

Question 4

A 19-year-old student was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has started thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine (Synthroid). After 1 week, she called the clinic to report that she does not feel better. Which response from the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

Patients need to understand that it may take several weeks to see the full therapeutic effects of thyroid drugs. The other options are incorrect.

Question 5

A patient has a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Which statement accurately describes this problem?

Accepted Answer

Primary hypothyroidism stems from an abnormality in the thyroid gland itself and occurs when the thyroid gland is not able to perform one of its many functions. Secondary hypothyroidism begins at the level of the pituitary gland and results from reduced secretion of TSH. TSH is needed to trigger the release of the T? and T? stored in the thyroid gland. Tertiary hypothyroidism is caused by a reduced level of the TRH from the hypothalamus. This reduced level, in turn, reduces TSH and thyroid hormone levels.

Question 6

A 19-year-old woman has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has started thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine (Synthroid). After 6 months, she calls the nurse to say that she feels better and wants to stop the medication. Which response by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

These medications must never be abruptly discontinued, and lifelong therapy is usually the norm. The other options are incorrect.

Question 7

The order reads, "Give levothyroxine (Synthroid), 200 mg, PO once every morning." Which action by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

Levothyroxine is dosed in micrograms. A common medication error is to write the intended dose in milligrams instead of micrograms. If not caught, this error would result in a thousandfold overdose. Doses higher than 200 mcg need to be questioned in case this error has occurred. The other options are incorrect.

Question 8

During a teaching session for a patient on antithyroid drugs, the nurse will discuss which dietary instructions?

Accepted Answer

Patients on antithyroid therapy need to avoid iodine-containing foods. These foods may interfere with the effectiveness of the antithyroid drug. The other options are incorrect.

Question 9

A patient with hypothyroidism is given a prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid). When the nurse explains that this is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone, he states that he prefers to receive more "natural" forms of drugs. What will the nurse explain to him about the advantages of levothyroxine?

Accepted Answer

One advantage of levothyroxine over the natural forms is that it can be administered only once a day because of its long half-life. The other options are incorrect.

Question 10

A patient has been taking levothyroxine (Synthroid) for more than one decade for primary hypothyroidism. Today she calls because she has a cousin who can get her the same medication in a generic form from a pharmaceutical supply company. Which is the nurse's best advice?

Accepted Answer

Switching brands of levothyroxine during treatment can destabilize the course of treatment. Thyroid function test results need to be monitored more carefully when switching products.

Question 11

A patient, newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, has received a prescription for thyroid replacement therapy. The nurse will instruct the patient to take this medication at which time of day?

Accepted Answer

If possible, it is best to administer thyroid drugs taken once daily in the morning so as to decrease the likelihood of insomnia that may result from evening dosing.

Question 12

Levothyroxine (Synthroid) has been prescribed for a patient with hypothyroidism. The nurse reviews the patient's current medications for potential interactions. Which of these drugs or drug classes interact with levothyroxine?

Accepted Answer

Drug interactions with thyroid preparations include phenytoin, cholestyramine, antacids, calcium salts, iron products, estrogens, and warfarin . The other options are not correct.

Question 13

The nurse is giving morning medications. The Medication Administration Record has an order for levothyroxine, 25 mcg PO. The drug-dispensing cabinet contains levothyroxine tablets in milligram strengths instead of micrograms. Calculate the milligram equivalent dose of 25 mcg. _______

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is giving morning medications. The...

Quiz 31: Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs