ATI questions: Endocrine
A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following results should the nurse expect? a. pH 7.32, PaCO2 36 mm Hg, HCO3-14 mEq/L b. pH 7.38, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L c. pH 7.44, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, HCO3-24 mEq/L d. pH 7.50, PaCO2 42 mm Hg, HCO3- 30 mEq/L
a. pH 7.32, PaCO2 36 mm Hg, HCO3- 14 mEq/L -metabolic acidosis is a common manifestation of DKA, with a low pH, carbon dioxide within the expected reference range, and low bicarbonate.
A nurse is teaching a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following should the nurse include as an expected finding of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? a. decreased urine output b. weight gain of 0.45 kg (1 lb) in 24 hr c. rapid, shallow respirations d. blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL
d. blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL -blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL are an expected finding of DKA. Levels above 600 mg/dL are an expected finding in a client who is in a hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state
A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client who had a thyroidectomy and takes a thyroid hormone replacement. Which of the following instructions should the nurse plan to include? a. "take this medication on an empty stomach" b. "take this medication with an antacid" c. "change position slowly while taking this medication" d. "limit your fluid intake while taking this medication"
a. "take this medication on an empty stomach" -to promote proper absorption, the client should take the medication on an empty stomach and not eat or drink anything for 30 to 60 min after.
A nurse is managing the care of a client who is postoperative and has acute adrenal insufficiency. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. administer IV hydrocortisone sodium b. give oral spironolactone c. infuse 1 unit of platelets d. restrict daily fluid intake
a. administer IV hydrocortisone sodium -hydrocortisone sodium is necessary to replace the cortisol deficiency that occurs with adrenal insufficiency.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pheochromocytoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. elevate the head of the client's bed b. palpate the client's abdomen c. monitor the client for hypotension d. check the client's urine specific gravity
a. elevate the head of the client's bed -the nurse should elevate the head of the client's bed to reduce blood pressure and abdominal pressure
A nurse is monitoring the lab values of a client who has diabetes mellitus and is taking insulin. Which of the following results indicates a therapeutic outcome of insulin therapy? a. fasting blood glucose 96 mg/dL b. postprandial blood glucose 195 gm/dL c. random blood glucose 210 mg/dL d. preprandial blood glucose 60 mg/dL
a. fasting blood glucose 96 mg/dL -this is within the expected reference range of 70 to 110 mg/dL for a fasting blood glucose level and indicates that insulin therapy is effective.
A nurse is monitoring a client who is 24 hours postoperative after a total thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider? a. laryngeal stridor b. productive cough c. pain with hyperextension of the neck d. hoarse, weak voice
a. laryngeal stridor -laryngeal stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound with inspiration that indicates respiratory obstruction. The nurse should take immediate action to preserve the client's airway.
A nurse is teaching a client who has an autoimmune disease about the adverse effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse include? (select all that apply.) a. osteoporosis b. moon-shaped face c. increased risk of infection d. hearing loss e. weight loss
a. osteoporosis b. moon-shaped face c. increased risk of infection -osteoporosis: due to the suppression of bone formation & the acceleration of bone resorption that corticosteroid therapy can cause. -long-term corticosteroid therapy causes characteristics of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, including a moon-shaped face, a potbelly, and a buffalo hump -increased risk of infection is an adverse effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy. Corticosteroid therapy reduces the phagocytic actions of macrophages and neutrophils, suppressing the immune system.
A nurse has administered propranolol by IV bolus to a client who is having a thyroid storm. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is having a therapeutic response? a. reduction of the effects of thyroid hormone on the heart b. blockage of the release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland c. increase in the heart's sensitivity to thyroid hormone d. increase in the uptake of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland
a. reduction of the effects of thyroid hormone on the heart -propranolol is a beta2-adrenergic blocking agent that decreases the rapid heart rate caused by excessive thyroid stimulation
A nurse is assessing a client who has syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider? a. Sodium 110 mEq/L b. 2+ deep-tendon reflexes c. potassium 3.7 mEq/L d. urine specific gravity 1.025
a. sodium 110 mEq/L -a client who has SIADH retains fluids, which causes dilutional hyponatremia (low sodium level in the blood).
A nurse is teaching a client about glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching? a. "I need to fast after midnight the night before the test" b. "this test's result is a good indicator of my average blood glucose levels" c. "a level of 8 to 10 percent suggests adequate blood glucose control" d. "I will use my hemoglobin A1c level to adjust my daily insulin doses"
b. "This test's result is a good indicator of my average blood glucose levels" -HbA1c reflects the client's glucose levels over a 120-day period. which is the life span of RBCs
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has diabetes insipidus and a new prescription for desmopressin nasal spray. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? a. "Depress the pump once before using the nasal spray for the first time" b. "blow your nose gently prior to using the nasal spray" c. "administer the nasal spray while in a side-lying position" d. "notify the provider if you develop numbness or tingling around the mouth"
b. blow your nose gently prior to using the nasal spray -the nurse should instruct the client to blow his nose gently prior to using the nasal spray. This action prevents dilution of the medication with nasal secretions.
A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports feeling anxious. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect if the client is hypoglycemic? a. rapid, dep respirations b. cool, clammy skin c. abdominal cramping d. orthostatic hypotension
b. cool, clammy skin -hypoglycemia causes cool, clammy skin, in addition to anxiety, nervousness, tachycardia, and confusion
A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus. The nurse should expect which of the following findings? a. decreased heart rate b. increased hematocrit c. high urine specific gravity d. low BUN level
b. increased hematocrit -increased hematocrit is an expected finding of diabetes insipidus due to dehydration.
A nurse is planning teaching for a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following instructions should the nurse plan to include? a. consume no more than three servings of alcohol per day b. ingest food with alcohol to reduce alcohol-induced hypoglycemia c. increase insulin dosage before planned exercise d. rest for 3 days between periods of vigorous exercise
b. ingest food with alcohol to reduce alcohol-induced hypoglycemia -alcohol inhibits the liver's production of glucose. Consuming carbohydrates while drinking alcoholic beverages helps prevent hypoglycemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and has developed peripheral neuropathy. Which of the following measures should the nurse recommend to prevent injuries to the client's feet? a. Examine the skin of the feet weekly for alterations in skin integrity b. monitor the temperature of bath water with a thermometer c. shop for shoes early in the day d. round the edges of toenails when trimming them
b. monitor the temperature of bath water with a thermometer -peripheral neuropathy makes it difficult to determine if bath water is too hot. Therefore, to prevent injury, the client should use a bath thermometer to ensure a water temperature below 43.3 degree C (110 degrees F).
A nurse is teaching a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus about how to prevent complications during illness. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? a. "I should stop taking my insulin if I feel nauseous" b. "I will test my urine for protein when I start to feel ill" c. "I will call my doctor if my blood sugar is more than 250" d. "I should check my blood sugar level every 8 hours"
c. "I will call my doctor is my blood sugar is more than 250" -the client should call the provider if their blood glucose levels exceed 250 mg/dL during illness.
A nurse is assessing a client who has adrenal insufficiency. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a. moon-shaped face b. weight gain c. calcium 12.8 mg/dL d. sodium 150 mEq/L
c. calcium 12.8 mg/dL -a client who has adrenal insufficiency will have a calcium level above the expected reference range of 4.5-5.6 mg/dL
A nurse is teaching a client who has diabetes mellitus about insulin injections. The client's prescription includes evening doses of insulin glargine and regular insulin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? a. inject the insulins intramuscularly b. shake the insulins vigorously prior to administration c. draw up the insulins into separate syringes d. expect the insulins to appear cloudy
c. draw up the insulins into separate syringes -the nurse should instruct the client to draw up the insulins into separate syringes because insulin glargine is not compatible with other insulins.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of Cushing's disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a. decreased blood pressure b. weight loss c. hirsutism d. increased skin thickness
c. hirsutism -increased hair growth, or hirsutism, is an expected finding of Cushing's disease due to increased androgen production
A nurse is assessing a client who is taking propylthiouracil. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication that the medication has been effective? a. increased ability to sweat b. increased bowel movements c. increased body weight d. increased libido
c. increased body weight -propylthiouracil suppresses the production of thyroid hormones and allows for weight gain. However, excessive weight gain should indicate that the dose of propylthiouracil is too high.
A nurse is caring for a client following a thyroidectomy. The nurse should assess for which of the following findings as an indication of hypocalcemia? a. Strong, bounding pulse b. decreased bowel sounds c. tingling and numbness of the hands and feet d. diminished deep-tendon reflexes
c. tinging and numbness of the hands and feet -hypocalcemia causes paresthesia, which usually starts in the hands and feet
A nurse is admitting a client who has hyperthyroidism. When assessing the client, the nurse should expect which of the following findings? a. cold intolerance b. lethargy c. tremors d. sunken eyes
c. tremors -findings of hyperthyroidism include tremors, diaphoresis, and insomnia
A nurse in an outpatient clinic is teaching a client who has a diabetic foot ulcer about foot care. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? a. "I will let my feet air dry after washing." b. "I will war sandals to allow air to circulate around my feet." c. "I will buy over-the-counter medicine to treat the calluses on my feet" d. "I will apply lotion to the dry areas of my feet but not between my toes"
d. "I will apply lotion to the dry areas of my feet but not between my toes" -lotion can be used for dry areas of the feet, but the client should avoid applying lotion between the toes, as this area is prone to bacterial growth
A nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who has diabetes insipidus and requires intranasal desmopressin. Which of the following information should the nurse include? a. "drink at least 3 liters of fluid per day" b. "weigh yourself weekly while wearing similar clothing at the same time of day" c. "notify the provider of a weight loss of 1 pound or more per week" d. "report nocturia because it requires a dosage adjustment"
d. "Report nocturia because it requires a dosage adjustment" -the client should take the initial dose of desmopressin in the evening. The provider will increase the dosage until the client no longer has nocturia (waking up at night to pee).
A nurse is teaching a client who is scheduled for a vanillylmandelic acid test to screen for pheochromocytoma. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? a. "start fasting at midnight prior to the day of the test" b. "begin the 24-hour urine collection with the first morning urination" c. "take low-dose aspirin for the pain during the testing period" d. "restrict coffee intake 2 to 3 days prior to the test"
d. "restrict coffee intake 2 to 3 days prior to the test" -the client should avoid coffee and tea, even if they are decaffeinated, bananas, chocolate, and vanilla for 2 to 3 days prior to the test.
A nurse is teaching a client about the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. The nurse should explain that the purpose of the test is to assess for which of the following disorders? a. diabetes insipidus b. hyperthyroidism c. pheochromocytoma d. Addison's disease
d. Addison's disease -the nurse should instruct the client that the ACTH stimulation test is the standard test for Addison's disease. It measures the cortisol response to ACTH. The response is absent or very decreased in the clients who have primary adrenal insufficiency.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client undergoing screening for primary Cushing's disease. The nurse should expect an elevation in which of the following laboratory findings? a. lymphocyte count b. potassium c. calcium d. glucose
d. glucose -blood glucose is elevated in a client who has Cushing's disease (cortisol level elevated).
A home health nurse is assessing a client who requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy for a treatment of hypothyroidism. The client has not been taking the medication regularly. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a. increased urine output b. persistent diarrhea c. tachycardia d. hypotension
d. hypotension -hypotension is an expected finding of hypothyroidism, along with bradypnea, dysrhythmias, cold intolerance, and cool, dry skin.
A nurse is caring for a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and is experiencing a hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state (HHS). Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect? a. serum pH 2.32 b. blood glucose 250 mg/dL c. blood glucose 425 mg/dL d. serum pH 7.45
d. serum pH 7.45 -a client who is experiencing HHS produces enough insulin to prevent ketosis but not enough to prevent hyperglycemia. Therefore, the serum pH is within the expected reference range. Glucose levels will be above 600 mg/dL