Targeted Medical-Surgical: Endocrine

A nurse in an outpatient clinic is teaching a client who has a diabetic foot ulcer about foot care. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the teaching?

"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 teaching a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus about how to prevent complications during illness. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the teaching?

"I will call my doctor if my blood sugar is more than 250 milligrams per deciliter." The client should call the provider if her blood glucose levels exceed 250 mg/dL during illness.

To screen a client for pheochromocytoma, a nurse schedules a vanillylmandelic acid test. When teaching the client about this test, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

"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 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?

"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 taking it.

A nurse is teaching a client about glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the information about this test?

"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 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?

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 clients who have primary adrenal insufficiency.

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?

Administer IV hydrocortisone sodium. Hydrocortisone sodium is necessary to replace the cortisol deficiency that occurs with adrenal insufficiency.

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)?

Blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL Blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL are an expected finding with DKA. Levels above 600 mg/dL are an expected finding with hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state.

A nurse is assessing a client who has adrenal insufficiency. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Calcium 12.8 mg/dL A client who has adrenal insufficiency has a calcium level above the expected reference range.

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?

Cool, clammy skin Hypoglycemia causes cool, clammy skin, in addition to anxiety, nervousness, tachycardia, and confusion.

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?

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 caring for a client who has a pheochromocytoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

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 laboratory values of a client who has diabetes mellitus and is taking insulin. Which of the following results indicates a therapeutic outcome of insulin therapy?

Fasting blood glucose 96 mg/dL This is within the expected reference range for a fasting blood glucose level and indicates that insulin therapy is effective.

A nurse is caring for a client undergoing screening for primary Cushing's disease. The nurse should expect an elevation in which of the following laboratory findings?

Glucose Blood glucose is elevated in a client who has Cushing's disease.

A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of Cushing's disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Hirsutism Increased hair growth, or hirsutism, is an expected finding of Cushing's disease due to increased androgen production.

A home health nurse is assessing a client who requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy for the treatment of hypothyroidism. The client has not been taking his medication regularly. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Hypotension Hypotension is an expected finding with hypothyroidism, along with bradypnea, dysrhythmias, cold intolerance, and cool, dry skin.

A nurse is planning teaching for a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Ingest alcohol with food to reduce alcohol-induced hypoglycemia. Alcohol inhibits the liver from producing glucose. Consuming carbohydrates while drinking alcoholic beverages helps prevent hypoglycemia.

A nurse is monitoring a client's status 24 hours after a total thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

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 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?

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° C (110° F).

A nurse is teaching a client who has an autoimmune disease about the adverse effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy. Which of the following effects should the nurse include? (select all that apply)

Osteoporosis is correct. Osteoporosis is an adverse effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy due to the suppression of bone formation and the acceleration of bone resorption that corticosteroid therapy can cause. Moon-shaped face is correct. 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 correct. Increased risk of infection is an adverse effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy due to suppression of the immune system. It reduces the phagocytic actions of macrophages and neutrophils, thus increasing the risk of infection. Hearing loss is incorrect. Long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause cataracts and glaucoma, but it does not cause hearing loss. Weight loss is incorrect. Long-term corticosteroid therapy is more likely to cause weight gain due to the fluid and sodium retention these medications cause.

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?

Reduction of the effects of thyroid hormone on the heart Propranolol is a beta2-adrenergic blocking agent that decreases the rapid heart rate that excessive thyroid stimulation causes.

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 in the teaching plan?

Report nocturia because it requires a dosage adjustment. The client should receive the initial dose of desmopressin in the evening; the provider will increase the dosage until the client no longer has nocturia.

A nurse is caring for a client who has type 2 diabetes melliltus and has hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state (HHS). Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?

Serum pH of 7.45 A client who has 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.

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?

Sodium 110 mEq/L A client who has SIADH retains fluids, which causes dilutional hyponatremia.

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?

Tingling and numbness of the hands and feet Hypocalcemia causes paresthesias, 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?

Tremors Findings of hyperthyroidism include tremors, diaphoresis, and insomnia.

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking propylthiouracil. The nurse should identify that the client has met the treatment goals when she reports an increase in which of the following manifestations?

Weight Propylthiouracil suppresses the production of thyroid hormones and, therefore, allows for weight gain. However, excessive weight gain could indicate that the dose of propylthiouracil is too high

A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following results should the nurse expect?

pH 7.32, PaCO2 36 mm Hg, HCO3- 14 mEq/L Metabolic acidosis is a common manifestation of DKA, with pH characteristically low, carbon dioxide within the expected reference range, and bicarbonate low.

A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has diabetes insipidus and has a new prescription for desmopressin nasal spray. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

"Blow your nose gently prior to using the nasal spray." The nurse should instruct the client to blow his nose gently prior to use of the spray. This action prevents dilution of the medication with nasal secretions.

A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus. The nurse should expect which of the following findings?

Increased hematocrit An increased hematocrit is an expected finding resulting from dehydration.