Chapter 31: Alterations in Endocrine Function

A 17-year-old adolescent is found wandering around. The adolescent is confused, sweaty, and pale. Which test would the nurse expect to be performed first? A. Blood glucose level B. CT scan C. Arterial blood gases D. Blood cultures

ANS: A Rationale: It is important to draw a blood glucose level on the adolescent because the client is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Once the adolescent is stabilized,

A 2-year-old client and the parents are at the office for a follow-up visit. The client has had excessive hormone levels in the recent blood work, and the parents question why this was not found sooner. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A. "It takes time to determine the level of functioning of endocrine glands." B. "Have there been signs and symptoms that you should have reported to the doctor?" C. "As endocrine functions become more stable throughout childhood, alterations become more apparent." D. "Endocrine disorders are hard to detect and you are lucky that we have found it when we did."

ANS: C Rationale: The endocrine glands are all present at birth; however, endocrine functions are immature. As these functions mature and become stabilized during the childhood years, alterations in endocrine function become more apparent. Thus, endocrine disorders may arise at any time during childhood development.

The nurse is caring for a teenager recently diagnosed with Addison disease. Which findings can be anticipated by the nurse? Select all that apply. A. Sodium level 128 mEq/L B. Potassium level 5.6 mEq/L C. Muscular weakness D. Rapid weight gain E. Facial acne

ANS: A, B, C Rationale: Hyponatermia, hyperkalemia and muscle weakness are all symptoms of Addison

A 10-year-old child is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The child's hemoglobin A1C level is being monitored. The nurse determines that additional intervention is needed with the child based on which result? A. 8.5% B. 6.5% C. 7.5 % D. 7.0%

ANS: A Rationale: The goal for hemoglobin A1C in children between the ages of 6 and 12 years is less than 8%. Therefore, a result of 8.5% would indicate that additional intervention is needed to achieve the recommended goal.

A group of nursing students are reviewing information about neonatal screenings. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when the students identify which system of most consistently affected by metabolic disorders? A. Nervous system B. Cardiovascular system C. Gastrointestinal system D. Respiratory system

ANS: A Rationale: Although any system can be affected, the nervous system is most consistently affected by metabolic disorders. The physical examination should focus on evaluating neurodevelopmental functions. Abnormalities commonly revealed include impaired states of alertness and arousal, tremors, posturing, clonic jerking, tonic spasms, or seizures.

The nurse is speaking with the parents of a school-aged child recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus regarding the differences between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Which statement by a parent indicates a need for further teaching? A. "If I notice changes in my son like tearfulness or irritability, his blood sugar may be high." B. "When my son's breath smells fruity, it almost always indicates high blood sugar." C. "If my son says he feels shaky, his blood sugar may be low." D. "Dry flushed skin may be a sign if high blood sugar."

ANS: A Rationale: Behavior changes such as tearfulness, irritability, confusion and slurred speech are indications of hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia. Tremors and diaphoresis are also indications of low blood sugar. Dry flushed skin, fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting and fruity breath odor are all symptoms of hyperglycemia.

Diabetes insipidus a disorder of the posterior pituitary resulting in deficient secretion of which hormone? A. Antidiuretic hormone B. Adrenocorticotropic hormone C. Thyroid stimulating hormone D. Luteinizing hormone

ANS: A Rationale: Central diabetes insipidus (DI), also called neurogenic, vasopressin-sensitive, or hypothalamic DI, is a disorder of the posterior pituitary that results from deficient secretion of ADH. Nephrogenic DI is a result of the inability of the kidney to respond to ADH.

The nurse is caring for a child who is scheduled for bone scan. It is suspected that the child has a growth hormone deficiency. Which finding would support this medical diagnosis? A. The bone scan would show bone age would be two or more deviations below normal. B. The bone scan would show a brain tumor. C. The bone scan would show bone age would be three or more deviations above normal. D. The bone scan would a tumor on the child's kidney.

ANS: A Rationale: Diagnostic testing used in children with suspected GH deficiency include bone age will be two or more deviations below normal. CT or MRI scans would be used to rule out tumors or structural abnormalities, not bone scans.

A 19-year-old client with hypothyroidism asks the nurse if she will need to take thyroid medication if she becomes pregnant. The nurse integrates understanding of which of the following when responding to the client? A. Regulation of thyroid medication is more difficult because the thyroid gland increases in size during pregnancy B. There is no need to take a thyroid medication because the fetus's thyroid produces thyroid-stimulating hormone C. It is more difficult to maintain thyroid regulation during pregnancy due to the slowing of metabolism D. Fetal growth is arrested if the thyroid medications are continued during pregnancy.

ANS: A Rationale: During the pregnancy the thyroid gland triples n size which makes it more difficult to regulate thyroid medication. Thyroid function does not slow during pregnancy. The fetus might produce TSH but it does not reach the mother. Fetal growth is not arrested if medication is continued during the pregnancy.

When describing the negative feedback system that controls endocrine function, the nurse explains that a decreased secretion of which correlates with a decrease in blood glucose levels? A. Insulin B. Glucagon C. Adrenocorticotropic hormone D. Glycogen

ANS: A Rationale: Feedback is seen in endocrine systems that regulate concentrations of blood components such as glucose. Glucose from the ingested lactose or sucrose is absorbed in the intestine and the level of glucose in blood rises. Elevation of blood glucose concentration stimulates endocrine cells in the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin has the major effect of facilitating entry of glucose into many cells of the body. As a result, blood glucose levels fall. When the level of blood glucose falls sufficiently, the stimulus for insulin release disappears and insulin is no longer secreted.

A child with Addison's disease has been admitted with a history of nausea and vomiting for the past 3 days. The client is receiving IV glucocorticoids. Which intervention would the nurse implement? A. Take glucometer readings as ordered B. Measure intake and output C. Monitor sodium and potassium levels D. Weigh daily

ANS: A Rationale: IV glucocorticoids raise the glucose levels and often require coverage with insulin. Measuring the intake and output at this time is not necessary. Sodium and potassium would be monitored when the client is receiving mineralcorticoids. Daily weights are not necessary at this time.

Which type of diet should be included in the plan of care for a child diagnosed with Addison disease? A. High-protein, low-carbohydrate, high-sodium diet B. High-protein, high-carbohydrate, low-sodium diet C. Low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, low-sodium diet D. Low-calorie, low-cholesterol, low-saturated fat di

ANS: A Rationale: In Addison disease, the body produces inadequate hepatic glucagons. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate, and high-sodium diet prevents fatigue, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia. The child with Cushing syndrome needs low calories, carbohydrates, and sodium. The child with hypothyroidism needs low calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat.

The nurse is preparing teaching materials for a family whose child is prescribed somatropin for a growth hormone deficiency. What should the nurse instruct the parents about the administration of this medication? A. This medication must be given by injection. B. This medication must be given in the morning before school. C. Hip or knee pain is an expected adverse effect of this medication. D. This medication does not interact with any other types of medication.

ANS: A Rationale: Somatropin is administered by injection. It is best given at hour of sleep because that is when growth hormone is released. Hip or knee pain could indicate a slipped capital epiphysis and should be reported to the health care provider. The nurse should urge the parents to inform all health care providers that the child is receiving this medication to avoid medication interactions.

A 12-year-old boy arrives at the emergency room experiencing nausea, vomiting, headache, and seizures. He is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Other findings include a decrease in urine production, hyponatremia, and water intoxication. Which pituitary gland disorder would be most associated with these symptoms? A. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone B. Diabetes insipidus C. Hyposecretion of somatotropin D. Hypersecretion of somatotropin

ANS: A Rationale: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a rare condition in which there is overproduction of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior pituitary gland. This results in a decrease in urine production and water intoxication. As sodium levels fall in proportion to water, the child develops hyponatremia or a lowered sodium plasma level. It can be caused by central nervous system infections such as bacterial meningitis. As the hyponatremia grows more severe, coma or seizures occur from brain edema. Diabetes insipidus is characterized by polyuria, not decreased urine production. Hyposecretion of somatotropin, or growth h

A 9-year-old girl has just been diagnosed with graves disease. Which symptom should the nurse expect in this child? Select all that apply. A. Exophthalmos (protruding eyes) B. Moist skin C. Nervousness D. Increased basal metabolic rate E. Obesity F. Lethargy

ANS: A, B, C, D Rationale: In Graves disease, children gradually experience nervousness, tremors, loss of muscle strength, and easy fatigue. Their basal metabolic rate, blood pressure, and pulse all increase. Their skin feels moist and they perspire freely. An exophthalmos-producing pituitary substance causes the prominent-appearing eyes that accompany hyperthyroidism in some children. Obesity and lethargy are symptoms of hypothyroidism, not of Graves disease (hyperthyroidism).

What should be included in the teaching plan for a child with type 1 diabetes mellitus who is going home on insulin therapy? A. Children show an increased need for insulin during the first months after glucose control is established. B. Once glucose control is established, there will never be a need for an increase in the amount of insulin administered. C. It is absolutely normal for the growing child to require an increase in insulin; this does not mean his/her condition is getting worse. D. All children should be on at least two types of insulin to establish glucose control.

ANS: C Rationale: Children show a decreased need for insulin shortly after glucose control has been established, which is referred to by some as the "honeymoon phase" and should be described to parents so that they do not get any false hope that the child does not need insulin. As children grow, they will require increased doses of insulin to maintain glucose control, and not all children need to receive two types of insulin. Insulin treatment should be based on each individual child.

A child has been prescribed Stimate (esmopressin) acetate for the treatment of diabetes insipidus. The client and the parents ask the nurse how this drug works. What is the correct response by the nurse? A. Stimate (esmopressin) acetate works on your pancreas to stimulate insulin production B. Stimate (esmopressin) acetate is a synthetic form of insulin used to lower your blood sugar C. Stimate (esmopressin) acetate is a synthetic antidiuretic hormone that will slow down your urine output D. Stimate (esmopressin) acetate works to help your kidneys work more efficiently

ANS: C Rationale: Stimate (esmopressin) acetate is a synthetic antidiuretic hormone that promotes reabsorption of water by action on renal tubules; it is used to control diabetes insipidus by decreasing the amount of urine produced.

The nurse is examining a child with hypoparathyroidism. The nurse would expect to assess which signs and symptoms? Select all that apply. A. Capillary refill B. Polyphagia C. Chvostek D. Babinski E. Trousseau

ANS: C, E Rationale: A child with hypoparathyroidism would have a positive Chvostek or Trousseau sign, both of which indicate hypocalcemia. To test for the Chvostek sign, tap sharply over the facial nerve below the temple and anteriorly to the ear. The sign is positive when the mouth twitches (contraction of the lateral facial muscles). To check for the Trousseau sign, apply a blood pressure cuff to the child's upper arm. Inflate the cuff until the blood supply is occluded. If doing so causes carpal spasm (the fingers contract and the child is unable to open the hand), the Trousseau sign is positive. Capillary refill helps to evaluate tissue oxygenation. Polyphagia refers to excessive eating or hunger

The nurse knows that disorders of the pituitary gland depend on the location of the physiologic abnormality. Caring for a child who has issues with the anterior pituitary, the nurse would expect the child to have issues with which hormone? A. Vasopressin B. Antidiuretic hormone C. Oxytocin D. Growth hormone

ANS: D Rationale: Disorders of the pituitary gland depend on the location of the physiologic abnormality. The anterior pituitary, or adenohypophysis, is made up of endocrine glandular tissue and secretes growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), TSH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin. The posterior lobe is called the neurohypophysis because it is formed of neural tissue. It secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH; vasopressin) and oxytocin. Usually, several target organs are affected when there is a disorder of the pituitary gland, especially the adenohypophysis.

17. A child is admitted to the pediatric medical unit with the diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Based on the typical signs and symptoms of this disorder, which nursing diagnosis will the nurse identify as relating to this client? A. Delayed growth and development B. Imbalanced nutrition: More than body requirements C. Noncompliance D. Excess fluid volume

ANS: D Rationale: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) occurs when ADH (vasopressin) is secreted in the presence of low serum osmolality because the feedback mechanism that regulates ADH does not function properly. ADH continues to be released, and this leads to water retention, decreased serum sodium due to hemodilution, and extracellular fluid volume expansion; thus, Excess fluid volume from edema is the highest priority.