Question 1

The nurse is planning to conduct a physical assessment of a patient's endocrine system. What should the nurse expect to perform on this patient?

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system and can be palpated during a physical assessment. The pancreas, adrenal glands, and parathyroid glands are not typically palpable during a physical assessment. Percussion of the adrenal glands would also not be an appropriate assessment technique.

Question 2

A female patient comes into the clinic to be seen for fatigue and a cold that "won't go away," both of which began when she started a new job and her mother moved in with her family. The nurse realizes that this patient might be experiencing what reaction?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of fatigue and a cold that won't go away suggest that her immune system may be compromised. The new job and her mother moving in may be causing stress, which can lead to an increase in glucocorticoid secretion from the adrenal gland. This, in turn, can suppress the immune system and make the patient more susceptible to illness.

Question 3

The nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing a response to stress. By which route should the nurse expect hormone transport to be conducted in this stress response?

Accepted Answer

The neuroendocrine route is involved in the stress response, as it involves the release of stress hormones (such as cortisol and adrenaline) by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which then travel via the bloodstream to various organs and tissues to induce a stress response. Paracrine refers to the local signaling between adjacent cells, portal refers to the blood vessels that connect two different organs, and nerve cell extension refers to the axons and dendrites of neurons used for neurotransmitter release.

Question 4

A patient who is scheduled to have a hemoglobin A1C level drawn asks the nurse about the purpose of the test. How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

The hemoglobin A1C test measures the average blood sugar (glucose) level over the past 2 to 3 months, which is useful in managing and diagnosing diabetes, not related to pancreas, kidney, thyroid functions, or menopausal symptoms directly.

Question 5

A middle-aged female patient is found to have a decrease in her cortisol level. The nurse realizes that this finding is consistent with what health problem?

Accepted Answer

Decreased cortisol levels are consistent with Addison disease, which is characterized by adrenal insufficiency and a decrease in production of cortisol.

Question 6

The nurse is assessing a patient for Trousseau sign. In which order should the nurse conduct this assessment? 
A) Inflate the cuff.
B) Wait 2‒5 minutes.
C) Note a point greater than systolic blood pressure.
D) Place a blood pressure cuff above the antecubital space.
E) Observe for carpal spasms in the patient's hands and fingers.
F) non of the above.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is assessing a patient for...

Question 7

During an assessment the nurse notes that the patient's eyes are extremely wide open and bulging. The nurse realizes that this finding is consistent with what health problem?

Accepted Answer

Wide open and bulging eyes are a classic sign of hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves' disease. This is caused by an excess of thyroid hormone production, which can cause eye muscles to be pushed forward leading to the bulging appearance.

Question 8

The nurse is conducting an interview with an adult female patient. Which questions should the nurse ask that focus on genetic factors that influence the endocrine system?

Accepted Answer

These questions are relevant to genetic factors influencing the endocrine system as they relate to reproductive health and hormonal changes, which can be affected by genetic predispositions.

Question 9

A patient comes into the clinic demonstrating symptoms of hypocalcemic tetany. What assessment should the nurse conduct to determine the patient's condition?

Accepted Answer

Tapping a finger in front of the patient's ear at the angle of the jaw is a test for Chvostek's sign, which is a classic sign of hypocalcemia and can confirm the patient's condition of hypocalcemic tetany. The other options are not relevant to assessing for hypocalcemic tetany.

Question 10

An older patient who is seen in the clinic has a palpable thyroid gland. What should the nurse realize this finding indicates?

Accepted Answer

A palpable thyroid gland is a common finding in older patients and does not necessarily indicate any disease process. It may simply be due to the thyroid becoming more prominent with age. However, further assessment may be needed to rule out any underlying thyroid disorders. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not associated with a palpable thyroid gland.

Question 11

A patient is demonstrating symptoms of dehydration and excessive urination. The nurse realizes the patient might be experiencing an alteration in what hormone?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of dehydration and excessive urination suggest a lack of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which regulates water balance in the body. When ADH levels are low, the kidneys excrete more water, causing dehydration and increased urination.

Question 12

The results of a patient's oral glucose tolerance test are reviewed by the nurse. How should the nurse interpret these results? $$\begin{array} { | l | l | } 
\hline \text { Time } & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Blood } \
\mathrm { mg } / \mathrm { mL }
\end{array} \
\hline \text { Fasting } & 67 \
\hline 30 \text { minutes } & 128 \
\hline 1 \text { hour } & 151 \
\hline 2 \text { hours } & 102 \
\hline 3 \text { hours } & 70 \
\hline
\end{array}$$

Accepted Answer

The patient's blood glucose levels start within a normal fasting range, rise appropriately after glucose intake, and return to normal within 3 hours, indicating a normal response to glucose intake and normal insulin function.

Question 13

Place an "X" over the site of the site on the body where a nurse would assess stereognosis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Place an "X" over the site of...

Question 14

The nurse is conducting a physical assessment on a patient. Place an "X" over the location on the body where the nurse should observe and/or palpate for a goiter.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is conducting a physical assessment...

Question 15

The nurse realizes an alteration in growth hormone can lead to changes in an individual's physical stature. What condition should the nurse suspect is being caused by abnormally high levels of growth hormone in a patient?

Accepted Answer

Abnormally high levels of growth hormone can lead to acromegaly, which is characterized by excessive growth of bones in the face, hands, and feet. Dwarfism (B) is caused by inadequate levels of growth hormone. Hirsutism (C) is excessive hair growth in women due to hormonal imbalances. Gynecomastia (D) is the enlargement of breast tissue in males, which can be caused by hormonal imbalances but not specifically growth hormone.

Question 16

A patient being treated with medication for a seizure disorder is scheduled for a serum T3 and T4 level. What results should the nurse expect for these levels?

Accepted Answer

Certain seizure medications, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine, can cause a decrease in serum T3 and T4 levels, leading to falsely reduced results.

Question 17

When reviewing the patient's record, the nurse sees the results of a recent blood chemistry profile. These results indicate the patient is being evaluated for what health problem? $$\begin{array} { | l | l| } 
\hline \text { Calcium } & 10.2 \mathrm { mg } / \mathrm { dL } \
\hline \text { Phosphate } & 2.0 \mathrm { meq } / \mathrm { L } \
\hline \text { Vitamin D } & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Within normal } \
\text { range }
\end{array}\
\hline  
\end{array}$$

Accepted Answer

Elevated calcium levels and low phosphate levels are characteristic of hyperparathyroidism. Vitamin D levels would also likely be elevated in hyperparathyroidism as the parathyroid hormone stimulates conversion of vitamin D to its active form. Cushing syndrome would likely have elevated cortisol levels but would not typically affect calcium or phosphate levels. Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism would not typically affect calcium or phosphate levels.

Question 18

The nurse is completing an endocrine-focused health assessment interview with an older adult. What finding should the nurse suspect is related to an age-related change in the patient's thyroid function?

Accepted Answer

Inability to tolerate heat and cold is a common symptom of age-related changes in thyroid function, specifically hypothyroidism or decreased thyroid hormone production. Indigestion and intolerance of fatty foods may be indicative of liver or digestive issues, increased facial hair may be indicative of hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovary syndrome, and enlarged nose, hands, and feet may be indicative of acromegaly or excess growth hormone production, but these are not specifically related to age-related changes in thyroid function.

Question 19

While instructing a patient on pain relief, the nurse uses the example of endorphins as endocrine hormones, which act locally at the site of injury. The nurse is explaining what route of hormone transport in the body?

Accepted Answer

The nurse is describing the paracrine method of hormone transport, where the hormone acts locally at the site of injury. Endorphins are released by cells in response to pain and bind to receptors on nearby nerve cells to provide pain relief.

Question 20

The nurse is instructing a patient with low levels of circulating thyroid hormone. The nurse should encourage the patient to increase foods containing which nutrient?

Accepted Answer

Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormone, so increasing iodine intake can help improve low levels of thyroid hormone. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are not directly related to thyroid hormone synthesis.

Quiz 18: Assessing the Endocrine System