Chapter 31
A nurse is teaching a patient w/diabetes mellitus. The patient asks the nurse what is an acceptable HbA1c level for him. What should the nurse tell the patient?
An acceptable level is less than 5.4%
A nurse is initiating a patient teaching plan for a patient w/hypothyroidism. The patient is currrently taking salicylates, lithium, and sulfonamides. It is important that the nurse tell the patient that these medications influence thyroid levels. How are thyroid levels affected by these medications?
They decrease T3
A patient is admitted w/critical hypotension, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and hypoglycemia. The nurse knows that these symptoms are highly suggestive of which disorder?
Addisonian crisis
A patient is being evaluated for thyroid dysfunction. The laboratory findings include a decreased serum free thyroxine (T4) level and an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. These findings confirm which diagnosis?
Hypothyroidism
A patient is admitted w/severe hyperglycemia due to new-onset type-1 diabetes mellitus. Which signs and symptoms obtained as a part of the patient's history might indicate the presence of hyperglycemia?
Increased thirst and increased urinary output
A patient is admitted w/DKA. The nurse requests the practitioner order a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). What information does this test provide to the health care team?
It is an indicator of the patient's average blood glucose level over the previous 3-4 months
A patient has been admitted who is suspected of having thyrotoxicosis. Which symptom would support this diagnosis?
Weight loss despite increased appetite
