Chapter 52: Assessment and Management of Patients With Endocrine Disorders

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."

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

D

The nurse obtains a complete family history of a client with a suspected endocrine disorder based on which rationale?

Endocrine disorders can be inherited.

Which hormone would be responsible for increasing blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis?

Glucagon

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 client with acromegaly has been given the option of a surgical approach or a medical approach. The client decides to have a surgical procedure to remove the pituitary gland. What does the nurse understand this surgical procedure is called?

Hypophysectomy

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

Myxedemic coma

The nurse is caring for a client with hypoparathyroidism. When the nurse taps the client's facial nerve, the client's mouth twitches and the jaw tightens. What is this response documented as related to the low calcium levels?

Positive Chvostek's sign

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

A nurse explains to a client with thyroid disease that the thyroid gland normally produces:

T3, thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin.

Which of the following hormones would the nurse identify as being secreted by the thyroid gland?

Thyroxine

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

Weight loss, nervousness, and tachycardia

Which diagnostic test is done to determine suspected pituitary tumor?

computed tomography scan

During a client education session, the nurse describes the mechanism of hormone level maintenance. What causes most hormones to be secreted?

decrease in hormonal levels

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

decreased body temperature and cold intolerance.

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

For the first 72 hours after thyroidectomy surgery, a nurse should assess a client for Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign because they indicate:

hypocalcemia.

A client is undergoing diagnostics for an alteration in thyroid function. What physiologic function is affected by altered thyroid function?

metabolic rate

Cardiac effects of hyperthyroidism include

palpitations.

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.