NURS 111 Exam 3 Thyroid PrepU questions

A middle-aged female patient has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and admitted to the hospital for treatment. When providing care for this patient, the nurse should prioritize:

providing a calm, low-stimulation environment Patients with hyperthyroidism often present symptoms of nervousness. These patients are often emotionally hyperexcitable, irritable, and apprehensive. Consequently, a low-stimulation environment may be beneficial. This is likely a priority over teaching the patient about pathophysiology. Strict intake and output and glycemic monitoring are not normally necessary in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is suspected of having an endocrine disorder and is scheduled for diagnostic testing that involves the use of a contrast medium. The nurse would inform the physician if the client stated which of the following?

"I have an allergy to shrimp and shellfish."

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

Weight loss

What clinical manifestations does the nurse recognize would be associated with a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism? Select all that apply.

An elevated systolic blood pressure Muscular fatigability Weight loss. Manifestations of hyperthyroidism include an increased appetite and dietary intake, weight loss, fatigability and weakness (difficulty in climbing stairs and rising from a chair), amenorrhea, and changes in bowel function. Atrial fibrillation occurs in 15% of in older adult patients with new-onset hyperthyroidism (Porth & Matfin, 2009). Cardiac effects may include sinus tachycardia or dysrhythmias, increased pulse pressure, and palpitations. These patients are often emotionally hyperexcitable, irritable, and apprehensive; they cannot sit quietly; they suffer from palpitations; and their pulse is abnormally rapid at rest as well as on exertion. They tolerate heat poorly and perspire unusually freely.

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) Levothyroxine is the agent of choice for thyroid hormone replacement therapy because its standard hormone content provides predictable results. Methimazole is an antithyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism. Thyroid USP desiccated and liothyronine are no longer used for thyroid hormone replacement therapy because they may cause fluctuating plasma drug levels, increasing the risk of adverse effects.

A physician orders laboratory tests to confirm hyperthyroidism in a client with classic signs and symptoms of this disorder. Which test result would confirm the diagnosis?

No increase in the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level after 30 minutes during the TSH stimulation test In the TSH test, failure of the TSH level to rise after 30 minutes confirms hyperthyroidism. A decreased TSH level indicates a pituitary deficiency of this hormone. Below-normal levels of T3 and T4, as detected by radioimmunoassay, signal hypothyroidism. A below-normal T4 level also occurs in malnutrition and liver disease and may result from administration of phenytoin and certain other drugs.

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. Muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes are signs of hyperirritability of the nervous system due to hypocalcemia. The other options describe complications for which the nurse should also be observing; however, tetany and neurologic alterations are primary indications of hypocalcemia.

Early this morning, a client had a subtotal thyroidectomy. During evening rounds, the nurse assesses the client (who now has nausea) and records a temperature of 105°F (40.5°C), tachycardia, and extreme restlessness. What is the most likely cause of these signs?

Thyroid crisis Thyroid crisis usually occurs in the first 12 hours after thyroidectomy and causes exaggerated signs of hyperthyroidism, such as high fever, tachycardia, and extreme restlessness. Diabetic ketoacidosis is more likely to produce polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Hypoglycemia is likely to produce weakness, tremors, profuse perspiration, and hunger. Tetany typically causes uncontrollable muscle spasms, stridor, cyanosis, and possibly asphyxia.

For a client with hyperthyroidism, treatment is most likely to include:

a thyroid hormone antagonist. Thyroid hormone antagonists, which block thyroid hormone synthesis, combat increased production of thyroid hormone. Treatment of hyperthyroidism also may include radioiodine therapy, which destroys some thyroid gland cells, and surgery to remove part of the thyroid gland; both treatments decrease thyroid hormone production. Thyroid extract, synthetic thyroid hormone, and emollient lotions are used to treat hypothyroidism.

When caring for a client who's being treated for hyperthyroidism, the nurse should:

balance the client's periods of activity and rest. A client with hyperthyroidism needs to be encouraged to balance periods of activity and rest. Many clients with hyperthyroidism are hyperactive and complain of feeling very warm. Consequently, it's important to keep the environment cool and to teach the client how to manage his physical reactions to heat. Clients with hypothyroidism — not hyperthyroidism — complain of being cold and need warm clothing and blankets to maintain a comfortable temperature. They also receive thyroid replacement therapy, commonly feel lethargic and sluggish, and are prone to constipation. The nurse should encourage clients with hypothyroidism to be more active to prevent constipation.

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

decreased body temperature and cold intolerance. decreased body temperature and cold intolerance.

Which of the following would the nurse need to be alert for in a client with severe hypothyroidism?

myxedema coma Severe hypothyroidism is called myxedema and if untreated, it can progress to myxedemic coma, a life-threatening event. Thyroid storm is an acute, life-threatening form of hyperthyroidism. Addison's disease refers to primary adrenal insufficiency. Acromegaly refers to an oversecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland during adulthood.

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. Exophthalmos is characterized by protruding eyes and a fixed stare. Dry, waxy swelling and abnormal mucin deposits in the skin typify myxedema, a condition resulting from advanced hypothyroidism. A wide, staggering gait and a differential between the apical and radial pulse rates aren't specific signs of thyroid dysfunction.

A 50-year-old male patient has been admitted to the postsurgical unit from the PACU after having a total thyroidectomy. The nurse is now conducting an admission assessment and planning the patient's subsequent care. When providing this patient's care, the nurse should emphasize which of the following actions?

Protecting the patient's airway Hydration, pain control, and monitoring the patient's surgical dressing are all relevant components of the care of a patient who has undergone a thyroidectomy. However, protection of the airway is the priority action.