PNE 105 Disorders of the Endocrine System

A patient is ordered desmopressin (DDAVP) for the treatment of diabetes insipidus. What therapeutic response does the nurse anticipate the patient will experience?

A decrease in urine output

What is the most common cause of hyperaldosteronism?

An adrenal adenoma

A client with pheochromocytoma has been admitted for an adrenalectomy to be performed the following day. To prevent complications, the nurse should anticipate preoperative administration of which of the following?

IV corticosteroids

A nurse teaches a client with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism about the need for thyroid hormone replacement therapy to restore normal thyroid function. Which thyroid preparation is the agent of choice for thyroid hormone replacement therapy?

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

The preferred preparation for treating hypothyroidism includes which of the following?

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

Which intervention is the most critical for a client with myxedema coma?

Maintaining a patent airway

For a client with Graves' disease, which nursing intervention promotes comfort?

Maintaining room temperature in the low-normal range

A nurse is teaching a client with adrenal insufficiency about corticosteroids. Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional teaching?

"I may stop taking this medication when I feel better."

Which disorder results from excessive secretion of somatotropin (growth hormone)?

Acromegaly

Which is a clinical manifestation of diabetes insipidus?

Excessive thirst

A health care provider suspects that a thyroid nodule may be malignant. The nurse knows to prepare information for the patient based on the usual test that will be ordered to establish a diagnosis. What is that test?

Fine-needle biopsy of the thyroid gland

A client has been admitted to the postsurgical unit following a thyroidectomy. To promote comfort and safety, how should the nurse best position the client?

Semi-Fowler with the head supported on two pillows

A nurse should expect a client with hypothyroidism to report:

puffiness of the face and hands.

A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes insipidus. The nurse should anticipate administering:

vasopressin.

A client is returned to his room after a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which piece of equipment is most important for the nurse to keep at the client's bedside?

Tracheostomy set

A client is being evaluated for hypothyroidism. During assessment, the nurse should stay alert for:

decreased body temperature and cold intolerance.

An incoherent client with a history of hypothyroidism is brought to the emergency department by the rescue squad. Physical and laboratory findings reveal hypothermia, hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, bradycardia, hypotension, and nonpitting edema of the face and periorbital area. Knowing that these findings suggest severe hypothyroidism, the nurse prepares to take emergency action to prevent the potential complication of:

myxedema coma.

A client with a history of pheochromocytoma is admitted to the hospital in an acute hypertensive crisis. To reverse hypertensive crisis caused by pheochromocytoma, the nurse expects to administer:

phentolamine (Regitine).

A young client has a significant height deficit and is to be evaluated for diagnostic purposes. What could be the cause of this client's disorder?

pituitary disorder

What should the nurse teach a client on corticosteroid therapy in order to reduce the client's risk of adrenal insufficiency?

Always have enough medication on hand to avoid running out.

The actions of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are increased in the presence of which vitamin?

D

Cardiac effects of hyperthyroidism include

palpitations

The nurse is caring for a patient with hyperthyroidism who suddenly develops symptoms related to thyroid storm. What symptoms does the nurse recognize that are indicative of this emergency?

Temperature of 102ºF

When caring for a client with diabetes insipidus, the nurse expects to administer:

vasopressin.

Which feature(s) indicates a carpopedal spasm in a client with hypoparathyroidism?

Hand flexing inward

The nurse practitioner who assesses a patient with hyperthyroidism would expect the patient to report which of the following conditions?

Weight loss

A nurse is instructing a client with newly diagnosed hypoparathyroidism about the regimen used to treat this disorder. The nurse should state that the physician probably will order daily supplements of calcium and:

vitamin D.

Patients with hyperthyroidism are characteristically:

Sensitive to heat

A nurse is caring for a client who was recently diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. Which statement by the client indicates the need for additional discharge teaching?

"I will increase my fluid and calcium intake."

What statement made by the client indicates he requires further instruction by the nurse is required about taking corticosteroid therapy for adrenal insufficiency?

"I will take the corticosteroid medication until my adrenal glands begin to work."

A nurse is providing care to a client hospitalized with adrenal insufficiency. Which nursing interventions would be included in the client's care plan? Select all that apply.

-Encourage client to increase fluid intake. -Instruct the client to ask for assistance getting out of bed.

A female client with hyperglycemia who weighs 210 lb (95 kg) tells the nurse that her husband sleeps in another room because her snoring keeps him awake. The nurse notices that the client has large hands and a hoarse voice. Which disorder would the nurse suspect as a possible cause of the client's hyperglycemia?

Acromegaly

A client who is brought to the emergency room has BP 88/40; pulse 108, thready; and dry skin and mucouse membranes. He is confused. A medical alert card in his wallet states that he takes drugs for Addison's disease. You know he has signs and symptoms of:

Acute Adrenal Crisis

A client with severe head trauma sustained in a car accident is admitted to the intensive care unit. Thirty-six hours later, the client's urine output suddenly rises above 200 ml/hour, leading the nurse to suspect diabetes insipidus. Which laboratory findings support the nurse's suspicion of diabetes insipidus?

Below-normal urine osmolality level, above-normal serum osmolality level

A patient is suspected of having a pheochromocytoma and is having diagnostic tests done in the hospital. What symptoms does the nurse recognize as most significant for a patient with this disorder?

Blood pressure varying between 120/86 and 240/130 mm Hg

Surgical removal of the thyroid gland is the treatment of choice for thyroid cancer. During the immediate postoperative period, the nurse knows to evaluate serum levels of __________ to assess for a serious and primary postoperative complication of thyroidectomy.

Calcium

Accidental removal of one or both parathyroid glands can occur during a thyroidectomy. Which of the following is used to treat tetany?

Calcium gluconate

A client is receiving a test to determine adrenal function. What medication does the nurse administer as a screening test?

Cosyntropin

A nurse should perform which intervention for a client with Cushing's syndrome?

Explain that the client's physical changes are a result of excessive corticosteroids.

A client with Addison's disease has a blood glucose level above 80 mg/dL 30 minutes after receiving 15 g of carbohydrates for symptoms of hypoglycemia. Which of the following would the nurse do now?

Give the client milk and graham crackers.

A woman with a progressively enlarging neck comes into the clinic. She mentions that she has been in a foreign country for the previous 3 months and that she didn't eat much while she was there because she didn't like the food. She also mentions that she becomes dizzy when lifting her arms to do normal household chores or when dressing. What endocrine disorder should the nurse expect the physician to diagnose?

Goiter

A middle-aged female client complains of anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, the inability to concentrate, and eyes feeling "gritty." Thyroid function tests reveal the following: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 0.02 U/ml, thyroxine 20 g/dl, and triiodothyronine 253 ng/dl. A 6-hour radioactive iodine uptake test showed a diffuse uptake of 85%. Based on these assessment findings, the nurse should suspect:

Graves' disease.

A client with Addison's disease is being discharged from the hospital and is being instructed about the dietary regimen. What type of diet should the nurse provide written and verbal instructions about?

High-protein, moderate-carbohydrate diet

Which condition should a nurse expect to find in a client diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism?

Hypercalcemia

The home care nurse is conducting client teaching with a client on corticosteroid therapy. To achieve consistency with the body's natural secretion of cortisol, when should the home care nurse instruct the client to take the corticosteroids?

In the morning between 7 AM and 8 AM

When reviewing laboratory results for a patient with a possible diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism, the nurse knows that this condition is characterized by which of the following?

Inadequate secretion of parathormone

The nurse assesses a patient who has an obvious goiter. What type of deficiency does the nurse recognize is most likely the cause of this?

Iodine

A patient with a history of hypothyroidism is admitted to the intensive care unit unconscious and with a temperature of 95.2ºF. A family member informs the nurse that the patient has not taken thyroid medication in over 2 months. What does the nurse suspect that these findings indicate?

Myxedema coma

Which assessment would a nurse perform on a client with Cushing's syndrome who is at high risk of developing a peptic ulcer?

Observe stool color.

Nursing care for a client in addisonian crisis should include which intervention?

Placing the client in a private room

A client has been assessed for aldosteronism and has recently begun treatment. What are priority areas for assessment that the nurse should frequently address? Select all that apply.

Potassium level Blood pressure

A nurse is caring for a client with Cushing's syndrome. Which interventions would the nurse include in the client's plan of care? Select all that apply.

Report systolic BP greater than 139 mm Hg or diastolic BP greater than 89 mm Hg. Monitor weight Examine extremities for pitting edema. Administer prescribed diuretics.

A client is admitted for treatment of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which nursing intervention is appropriate?

Restricting fluids

A client is admitted to the health care facility for evaluation for Addison's disease. Which laboratory test result best supports a diagnosis of Addison's disease?

Serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L

Dilutional hyponatremia occurs in which disorder?

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)

A nurse is assessing a client after a thyroidectomy. The assessment reveals muscle twitching and tingling, along with numbness in the fingers, toes, and mouth area. The nurse should suspect which complication?

Tetany

A patient taking corticosteroids for exacerbation of Crohn's disease comes to the clinic and informs the nurse that he wants to stop taking them because of the increase in acne and moon face. What can the nurse educate the patient regarding these symptoms?

The moon face and acne will resolve when the medication is tapered off.

A nurse is assessing a client with hyperthyroidism. What findings should the nurse expect?

Weight loss, nervousness, and tachycardia Explanation: Weight loss, nervousness, and tachycardia are signs of hyperthyroidism. Other signs of hyperthyroidism include exophthalmos, diaphoresis, fever, and diarrhea. Weight gain, constipation, lethargy, decreased sweating, and cold intolerance are signs of hypothyroidism.

When assessing a client with pheochromocytoma, a tumor of the adrenal medulla that secretes excessive catecholamine, the nurse is most likely to detect:

a blood pressure of 176/88 mm Hg.

A nurse is assessing a client with possible Cushing's syndrome. In a client with Cushing's syndrome, the nurse expects to find:

deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area.

A client with Cushing's syndrome is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. During the admission assessment, the nurse notes that the client is agitated and irritable, has poor memory, reports loss of appetite, and appears disheveled. These findings are consistent with:

depression.

A nurse is caring for a client with hypoparathyroidism. During assessment, the nurse elicits a positive Trousseau's sign. What does the nurse observe to verify this finding?

hand flexing inward

A client presents with a huge lower jaw, bulging forehead, large hands and feet, and frequent headaches. What could be causing this client's symptoms?

hyperpituitarism

A client visits the physician's office complaining of agitation, restlessness, and weight loss. The physical examination reveals exophthalmos, a classic sign of Graves' disease. Based on history and physical findings, the nurse suspects hyperthyroidism. Exophthalmos is characterized by:

protruding eyes and a fixed stare.

A female client is being successfully treated for Cushing's syndrome. The nurse should expect a decline in:

serum glucose level.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system stimulates the kidneys to release renin in response to all of the following except a:

Decrease in serum potassium

A nurse is planning care for a client in acute addisonian crisis. Which nursing diagnosis should receive the highest priority?

Decreased cardiac output

A nurse is assigning beds to four new clients being admitted to the cardiac telemetry floor. Which client should she assign to the bed at the end of the hall, away from the nurses' station?

A 24-year-old client with unstable hyperthyroidism with sinus tachycardia

A client with a history of hypertension is diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism. This diagnosis indicates that the client's hypertension is caused by excessive hormone secretion from which gland?

Adrenal cortex

For a client diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, which of these nursing diagnoses should be addressed on the care plan?

Body Image, Disturbed

A client enters a clinic with possible Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following assessment findings support this diagnosis?

Buffalo hump, easy bruising

The nurse assesses a patient who has been diagnosed with Addison's disease. Which of the following is a diagnostic sign of this disease?

Potassium of 6.0 mEq/L