A 70-year-old woman comes to the emergency department with a history of confusion and increasing depression over the last week. Auscultation of the heart and lungs reveals fine crackles and an S3 heart sound. Among other possible etiologies, the nurse considers which endocrine disorder?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Confusion and depression are common symptoms of hypothyroidism, which is also associated with cardiovascular changes such as bradycardia and diastolic hypertension, as well as respiratory changes such as pleural effusions and respiratory muscle weakness. The presence of fine crackles and an S3 heart sound may indicate congestive heart failure, which can be caused or aggravated by hypothyroidism. Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism that is not likely to cause these symptoms, and diabetes mellitus and luteinizing hormone deficiency are not typically associated with respiratory or cardiovascular changes.

A 70-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Emergency Department with a History