Levothyroxine

Time of Therapeutic Effect

- Full effect of medication can take 6 to 8 weeks - Daily therapy begins with a dose that increases gradually over several weeks

Levothyroxine

- Thyroid hormone preparation are synthetic form of thyroxine - Used to for treatment of hypothyroidism

A Nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a client who has impaired swallowing. The nurse should crush the medication when administering which of the following prescriptions?

A. Aspirin EC 80 mg PO daily B. Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO q AM before breakfast C. Metformin XR 500 mg PO daily D. Nitroglycerin 0.3 mg SL PRN chest pain may request q 5 min for 2 additional doses B. Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO q AM before breakfast Levothyroxine can be crushed because its not extended release, sublingual, or enteric-coated

A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism and takes levothyroxine. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing acute levothyroxine overdose?

A. Bradycardia B. Cold intolerance C. Tremors D. Hypothermia C. tremors Tremors and anxiety are expected findings in acute levothyroxine overdose. Findings are similar to those seen in HYPERthyroidism

A nurse is reviewing lab results for a patient who reports fatigue and cold intolerance. The client has increased TSH level and decreased T3 and T4 levels. Which of the following should the nurse anticipate a prescription for which of the following medications?

A. Methimazole B. Somatropin C. Levothyroxine D. Proplythiouracil C. Levothyroxine Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone for a client who has hypothyroidism

A nurse is preparing to administer levothyroxine to a client who has who has hypothyroidism. The nurse should identify which of the following results as supporting the administration of this medication?

A. TSH 8 microunits /mL B. T3 300 pg/dL C. T4 T mcg/dL D. Thyroxine binding globulin 2.3 mg/dL A. TSH 8 microunits /mL the expected range for TSH is 0.3-5 microunits /mL elevated in a client with primary hypothyroidism to normalize the thyroid gland's function

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the client requires intervention?

A. heart rate 106/min B. dry skin C. oral temperature 36.8 (98.2) D. Lethargy A. Heart rate 106/min Tachycardia is a manifestation of hyperthyroidism possibly due to excessive hormone replacement

A nurse is teaching a client who is taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism and a new prescription for a calcium supplement. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. the calcium supplement will enhance the effect of levothyroxine B. The calcium supplement will accelerate the metabolism of the levothyroxine C. take the medications together at 1700 for the greatest effect D. Take the calcium supplement 4 hours after taking levothyroxine D. Take the calcium supplement 4 hours after taking levothyroxine Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning, and the calcium should be taken at least 4 hours later

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has hypothyroidism and is levothyroxine. The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following findings is an indication of thyrotoxicosis?

A. weight gain B. Constipation C. Chest pain D. Fatigue C. Chest pain Thyrotoxicosis can result if a client takes too much levothyroxine. Manifestations include chest pain, tachycardia, insomnia, tremors, hyperthermia, heat intolerance, diaphoresis