H&C Ch 52. Ass and Mgmt of Pt w/ Endocrine Disorders

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

T3, thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin.

A patient is ordered desmopressin (DDAVP) for the treatment of diabetes insipidus. What therapeutic response does the nurse anticipate the patient will experience?

A decrease in urine output

A client, aged 84 who is experiencing cognitive decline, is scheduled for a diagnostic test. Which action by the nurse reflects best practice when recording the client's drug history before the diagnostic test?

Consulting with the client's family or caregiver to confirm the information.

A client is being seen in the clinic to receive the results of the lab work to determine thyroid levels. The nurse observes the client's eyes appear to be bulging, and there is swelling around the eyes. What does the nurse know that the correct documentation of this finding is?

Exophthalmos R: bulging eyes, periorbital swelling

A client who is being tested for syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion asks the nurse to explain the diagnosis. While explaining, the nurse states that excessive antidiuretic hormone is secreted from which gland?

Posterior Pituitary

When describing the difference between endocrine and exocrine glands, which of the following would the instructor include as characteristic of endocrine glands?

The secretions are released directly into the blood stream. R: The endocrine glands secrete hormones, chemicals that accelerate or slow physiologic processes, directly into the bloodstream

Which group of clients should not receive potassium iodide?

Those who are allergic to seafood.

An incoherent client with a history of hypothyroidism is brought to the emergency department by the rescue squad. Physical and laboratory findings reveal hypothermia, hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, bradycardia, hypotension, and nonpitting edema of the face and periorbital area. Knowing that these findings suggest severe hypothyroidism, the nurse prepares to take emergency action to prevent the potential complication of:

myxedema coma

The nurse knows to assess a patient with hyperthyroidism for the primary indicator of:

Intolerance to heat R: With hypothyroidism, the individual is sensitive to cold because the core body temperature is usually below 98.6°F. Intolerance to heat is seen with hyperthyroidism.

The nurse is aware that the best time of day for the total large corticosteroid dose is between:

7-8 am. R: This is when the adrenal gland is most active. Therefore this will result in maximum suppression of the gland.

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 mm Hg

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

Which suggestion would the nurse include for a client who has had a thyroidectomy to reduce tension on the suture line?

Use the hands to support the head when rising to a sitting position.

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

Vasopressin R: Because diabetes insipidus results from decreased antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) production, the nurse should expect to administer synthetic vasopressin for hormone replacement therapy.