Question 1

Which information should the nurse provide for a patient scheduled for an MRI procedure as part of endocrine assessment?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which information should the nurse provide for...

Question 2

A patient is scheduled for an ACTH stimulation test as part of endocrine evaluation. What information should the nurse provide as preparation for this test?

Accepted Answer

The ACTH stimulation test involves drawing blood samples both before and after injection of ACTH, so the patient should be informed that at least two blood samples will be drawn.

Question 3

A patient is diagnosed with secondary hypothyroidism. The nurse would expect which laboratory test result?

Accepted Answer

Secondary hypothyroidism is caused by a failure of the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which normally stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. Therefore, a low TSH level is expected in secondary hypothyroidism.

Question 4

During an endocrine assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's heart rate is sustained at 160 beats per minute. The patient reports nervousness but has no loss of consciousness or reduced mentation. What nursing intervention is priority?

Accepted Answer

A sustained heart rate of 160 beats per minute is a cause for concern and may indicate a potentially life-threatening condition such as thyroid storm or pheochromocytoma. Therefore, the priority nursing intervention is to notify the health care provider immediately. Options A and B may be important but not as urgent as notifying the provider. Option D is not appropriate as the patient's condition may worsen with ambulation.

Question 5

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?

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.

Question 6

A patient is scheduled for a thyroid scan. The nurse should specifically ask the patient about possible allergy to which substance?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid scans typically involve the injection or ingestion of a radioactive iodine tracer to visualize the thyroid gland. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to ask the patient about any allergies to iodine or seafood, as these allergies may indicate a hypersensitivity to the iodine tracer. Allergies to penicillin, citrus fruit, or sulfa drugs are not directly related to the thyroid scan procedure.

Question 7

The patient is scheduled for an MRI using gadolinium contract medium. The nurse would teach the patient that which mild reactions are considered common and can be expected?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Common mild reactions to gadolinium contrast medium include headache, nausea, and dizziness. Swelling of the lips and dyspnea are rare but serious reactions that require immediate medical attention.

Question 8

A patient with assessment findings suggesting acromegaly is scheduled for a growth hormone suppression test. The nurse would prepare the patient for this test with which information?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The growth hormone suppression test involves drinking a glucose solution and then having blood samples drawn at various intervals to see if the glucose suppresses growth hormone levels, as it normally should. Positions and X-rays, iodine contrast media, and 24-hour urine collection are not part of this specific test.

Question 9

The nurse is conducting an endocrine assessment on a patient with cognitive impairment. Which nursing action is indicated?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is conducting an endocrine assessment...

Question 10

A patient is scheduled for MRI with gadolinium contrast. The nurse should review the medical record for which essential baseline test?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should review the patient's kidney function before administering gadolinium contrast because the contrast can be nephrotoxic, which can cause acute kidney injury in patients with impaired kidney function.

Quiz 45: Nursing Assessment of the Patient Endocrine Disorders