disorders of endocrine system

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

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

Which symptom of thyroid disease is seen in older adults?

Atrial fibrillation

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

A client receiving thyroid replacement therapy develops influenza and forgets to take her thyroid replacement medicine. The nurse understands that skipping this medication puts the client at risk for developing which life-threatening complication?

Myxedema Coma

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

A nurse is caring for a client who had a thyroidectomy and is at risk for hypocalcemia. What should the nurse do?

Observe for muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes.

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.

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

Restricting fluids

When teaching a client diagnosed with hypothyroidism about medical intervention, which is important for the nurse to communicate?

TH may increase the effect of digitalis preparation.

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

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

Vasopressin

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

What pharmacologic therapy does the nurse anticipate administering when the patient is experiencing thyroid storm? (Select all that apply.)

a. acetaminophen b. iodine c. propylthiouracil

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

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.

On the third day after a partial thyroidectomy, a client exhibits muscle twitching and hyperirritability of the nervous system. When questioned, the client reports numbness and tingling of the mouth and fingertips. Suspecting a life-threatening electrolyte disturbance, the nurse notifies the surgeon immediately. Which electrolyte disturbance most commonly follows thyroid surgery?

hypocalcemia

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 patient with thyroiditis has undergone surgery and is concerned about the barely visible scar. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse give the patient to cope with the condition?

wear clothing that covers the neck

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 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."

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.

Patients with hyperthyroidism are characteristically:

Sensitive to heat

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

Weight loss, nervousness, and tachycardia

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

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:

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 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 caring for client with thyroiditis who is recovering from surgery to remove the thyroid gland. The client is upset about having a bright red scar on the neck, though it is barely visible. What would be an appropriate suggestion?

clothing that covers the neck

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 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 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

The physician has ordered a fluid deprivation test for a client suspected of having diabetes insipidus. During the test, the nurse should prioritize what assessments?

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

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 patient has been placed on corticosteroid therapy for an Addison's disease. The nurse should be aware of which of the following side effects with this type of therapy? Select all that apply.

Hypertension Alterations in glucose metabolism Poor wound healing

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 7AM and 8AM

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

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

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

Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to determine the development of peptic ulcers when caring for a patient with Cushing's syndrome?

Observe the color of stool.

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

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 who's being treated for hyperthyroidism, the nurse should:

balance the client's periods of activity and rest.

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 mmHg