Clotting + Metabolism
The nurse is preparing a client with a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism for discharge. The nurse determines that the client understands discharge instructions if the client states that which signs and symptoms are associated with this diagnosis? Select all that apply. 1. Tremors 2.Weight loss 3.Feeling cold 4.Loss of body hair 5.Persistent lethargy 6.Puffiness of the face
3, 4, 5, 6 Feeling cold, hair loss, lethargy, and facial puffiness are signs of hypothyroidism. Tremors and weight loss are signs of hyperthyroidism.
A client has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. The nurse monitors for which signs and symptoms indicating a complication of this disorder? Select all that apply. 1. Fever 2.Nausea 3.Lethargy 4.Tremors 5.Confusion 6.Bradycardia
1, 2, 4, 5 Thyroid storm is an acute and life-threatening complication that occurs in a client with uncontrollable hyperthyroidism. Signs and symptoms of thyroid storm include elevated temperature (fever), nausea, and tremors. In addition, as the condition progresses, the client becomes confused. The client is restless and anxious and experiences tachycardia.
The nurse is monitoring a client receiving levothyroxine sodium for hypothyroidism. Which findings indicate the presence of a side effect associated with this medication? Select all that apply. 1. Insomnia 2.Weight loss 3.Bradycardia 4.Constipation 5.Mild heat intolerance
1, 2, 5 Insomnia, weight loss, and mild heat intolerance are side effects of levothyroxine sodium. Bradycardia and constipation are not side effects associated with this medication, and rather are associated with hypothyroidism, which is the disorder that this medication is prescribed to treat.
A client with a diagnosis of addisonian crisis is being admitted to the intensive care unit. Which findings will the interprofessional health care team focus on? Select all that apply. 1. Hypotension 2.Leukocytosis 3.Hyperkalemia 4.Hypercalcemia 5.Hypernatremia
1, 3 In Addison's disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency, destruction of the adrenal gland leads to decreased production of adrenocortical hormones, including the glucocorticoid cortisol and the mineralocorticoid aldosterone. Addisonian crisis, also known as acute adrenal insufficiency, occurs when there is extreme physical or emotional stress and lack of sufficient adrenocortical hormones to manage the stressor. Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency. One of the roles of endogenous cortisol is to enhance vascular tone and vascular response to the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine. Hypotension occurs when vascular tone is decreased and blood vessels cannot respond to epinephrine and norepinephrine. The role of aldosterone in the body is to support the blood pressure by holding salt and water and excreting potassium. When there is insufficient aldosterone, salt and water are lost and potassium builds up; this leads to hypotension from decreased vascular volume, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. The remaining options are not associated with addisonian crisis.
The nurse is completing an assessment on a client who is being admitted for a diagnostic workup for primary hyperparathyroidism. Which client complaints would be characteristic of this disorder? Select all that apply. 1. Polyuria 2.Headache 3.Bone pain 4.Nervousness 5.Weight gain
1, 3 The role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the body is to maintain serum calcium homeostasis. In hyperparathyroidism, PTH levels are high, which causes bone resorption (calcium is pulled from the bones). Hypercalcemia occurs with hyperparathyroidism. Elevated serum calcium levels produce osmotic diuresis and thus polyuria. This diuresis leads to dehydration (weight loss rather than weight gain). Loss of calcium from the bones causes bone pain. Options 2, 4, and 5 are not associated with hyperparathyroidism. Some gastrointestinal symptoms include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
A client with hyperthyroidism has been given methimazole. Which nursing considerations are associated with this medication? Select all that apply. 1. Administer methimazole with food. 2.Place the client on a low-calorie, low-protein diet. 3.Assess the client for unexplained bruising or bleeding. 4.Instruct the client to report side and adverse effects such as sore throat, fever, or headaches. 5.Use special radioactive precautions when handling the client's urine for the first 24 hours following initial administration.
1, 3, 4 Common side effects of methimazole include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. To address these side effects, this medication should be taken with food. Because of the increase in metabolism that occurs in hyperthyroidism, the client should consume a high-calorie diet. Antithyroid medications can cause agranulocytosis with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Sore throat, fever, headache, or bleeding may indicate agranulocytosis and the primary health care provider should be notified immediately. Methimazole is not radioactive and should not be stopped abruptly, due to the risk of thyroid storm.
The nurse is admitting a client who is diagnosed with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and has serum sodium of 118 mEq/L (118 mmol/L). Which primary health care provider prescriptions should the nurse anticipate receiving? Select all that apply. 1. Initiate an infusion of 3% NaCl. 2.Administer intravenous furosemide. 3.Restrict fluids to 800 mL over 24 hours. 4.Elevate the head of the bed to high-Fowler's. 5.Administer a vasopressin antagonist as prescribed.
1, 3, 5 Clients with SIADH experience excess secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which leads to excess intravascular volume, a declining serum osmolarity, and dilutional hyponatremia. Management is directed at correcting the hyponatremia and preventing cerebral edema. Hypertonic saline is prescribed when the hyponatremia is severe, less than 120 mEq/L (120 mmol/L). When furosemide is used, potassium supplementation should also occur and serum potassium levels should be monitored. To promote venous return, the head of the bed should not be raised more than 10 degrees for the client with SIADH. Maximizing venous return helps avoid stimulating stretch receptors in the heart that signal to the pituitary that more ADH is needed.
The nurse is teaching a client with hyperparathyroidism how to manage the condition at home. Which response by the client indicates the need for additional teaching? 1. "I should consume less than 1 liter of fluid per day." 2."I should use my treadmill or go for walks daily." 3."I should follow a moderate-calcium, high-fiber diet." 4."My alendronate helps keep calcium from coming out of my bones."
1. "I should consume less than 1 liter of fluid per day." In hyperparathyroidism, clients experience excess parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. A role of PTH in the body is to maintain serum calcium homeostasis. When PTH levels are high, there is excess bone resorption (calcium is pulled from the bones). In clients with elevated serum calcium levels, there is a risk of nephrolithiasis. One to two liters of fluids daily should be encouraged to protect the kidneys and decrease the risk of nephrolithiasis. Moderate physical activity, particularly weight-bearing activity, minimizes bone resorption and helps protect against pathological fracture. Walking, as an exercise, should be encouraged in the client with hyperparathyroidism. Even though serum calcium is already high, clients should follow a moderate-calcium diet, because a low-calcium diet will surge PTH. Calcium causes constipation, so a diet high in fiber is recommended. Alendronate is a bisphosphate that inhibits bone resorption. In bone resorption, bone is broken down and calcium is deposited into the serum.
An ultrasound is performed on a client at term gestation who is experiencing moderate vaginal bleeding. The results of the ultrasound indicate that abruptio placentae is present. On the basis of these findings, the nurse should prepare the client for which anticipated prescription? 1. Delivery of the fetus 2.Strict monitoring of intake and output 3.Complete bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy 4.The need for weekly monitoring of coagulation studies until the time of delivery
1. Delivery of the fetus Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after the 20th week of gestation and before the fetus is delivered. The goal of management in abruptio placentae is to control the hemorrhage and deliver the fetus as soon as possible. Delivery is the treatment of choice if the fetus is at term gestation or if the bleeding is moderate to severe and the client or fetus is in jeopardy. Because delivery of the fetus is necessary, options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect regarding management of a client with abruptio placentae.
A prescription reads levothyroxine, 150 mcg orally daily. The medication label reads levothyroxine, 0.1 mg/tablet. The nurse administers how many tablet(s) to the client? Fill in the blank.
1.5 tablet(s) You must convert 150 mcg to milligrams. In the metric system, to convert smaller to larger, divide by 1000 or move the decimal 3 places to the left. Therefore, 150 mcg equals 0.15 mg. Next, use the formula to calculate the correct dose.Desired--------- × Tablet(s) = Tablet(s) per doseAvailable0.15 mg------- × 1 tablet = 1.5 tablets0.1 mg
A prescription reads heparin sodium, 1300 units/hr by continuous intravenous (IV) infusion. The pharmacy prepares the medication and delivers an IV bag labeled heparin sodium 20,000 units/250 mL D5W. An infusion pump must be used to administer the medication. The nurse sets the infusion pump at how many milliliters (mL) per hour to deliver 1300 units/hour? Fill in the blank. Record your answer to the nearest whole number.
16 mL/hr Calculation of this problem can be done using a 2-step process. First, you need to determine the amount of heparin sodium in 1 mL. The next step is to determine the infusion rate, or milliliters per hour.Step 1: Determine the amount of heparin sodium in 1 mL.Known amount of medication-------------------------- = Medication/mLTotal volume of diluent20,000 units------------ = 80 units/mL250 mLStep 2: Calculate mL per hour.Dose per hour desired--------------------- = Milliliters per hourConcentration per mL1300 units---------- = 16.25 mL/hour80 units= 16 mL/hour (rounded)
The nurse is monitoring a client diagnosed with acromegaly who was treated with transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and is recovering in the intensive care unit. Which findings should alert the nurse to the presence of a possible postoperative complication? Select all that apply. 1. Anxiety 2.Leukocytosis 3.Chvostek's sign 4.Urinary output of 800 mL/hr 5.Clear drainage on nasal dripper pad
2, 4, 5 Acromegaly results from excess secretion of growth hormone, usually caused by a benign tumor on the anterior pituitary gland. Treatment is surgical removal of the tumor, usually with a sublingual transsphenoidal complete or partial hypophysectomy. The sublingual transsphenoidal approach is often through an incision in the inner upper lip at the gum line. Transsphenoidal surgery is a type of brain surgery, and infection is a primary concern. Leukocytosis, or an elevated white count, may indicate infection. Diabetes insipidus is a possible complication of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. In diabetes insipidus there is decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone, and clients excrete large amounts of dilute urine. Following transsphenoidal surgery, the nasal passages are packed and a dripper pad is secured under the nares. Clear drainage on the dripper pad is suggestive of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. The surgeon should be notified and the drainage should be tested for glucose. A cerebrospinal fluid leak increases the postoperative risk of meningitis. Anxiety is a nonspecific finding that is common to many disorders. Chvostek's sign is a test of nerve hyperexcitability associated with hypocalcemia and is seen as grimacing in response to tapping on the facial nerve. Chvostek's sign has no association with complications of sublingual transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.
A client is admitted to an emergency department, and a diagnosis of myxedema coma is made. Which action should the nurse prepare to carry out initially? 1. Warm the client. 2.Maintain a patent airway. 3.Administer thyroid hormone. 4.Administer fluid replacement.
2.Maintain a patent airway. Myxedema coma is a rare but serious disorder that results from persistently low thyroid production. Coma can be precipitated by acute illness, rapid withdrawal of thyroid medication, anesthesia and surgery, hypothermia, and the use of sedatives and opioid analgesics. In myxedema coma, the initial nursing action is to maintain a patent airway. Oxygen should be administered, followed by fluid replacement, keeping the client warm, monitoring vital signs, and administering thyroid hormones by the intravenous route.
The nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor and notes that the fundus is firm, but that bleeding is excessive. Which should be the initial nursing action? 1. Record the findings. 2.Massage the fundus. 3. Notify the obstetrician (OB). 4.Place the client in Trendelenburg's position.
3. Notify the obstetrician (OB). If bleeding is excessive, the cause may be laceration of the cervix or birth canal. Massaging the fundus if it is firm would not assist in controlling the bleeding. Trendelenburg's position should be avoided because it may interfere with cardiac and respiratory function. Although the nurse would record the findings, the initial nursing action would be to notify the OB.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client with pheochromocytoma. Which assessment data would indicate a potential complication associated with this disorder? 1. A urinary output of 50 mL/hr 2.A coagulation time of 5 minutes 3.A heart rate that is 90 beats per minute and irregular 4.A blood urea nitrogen level of 20 mg/dL (7.1 mmol/L)
3.A heart rate that is 90 beats per minute and irregular Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor usually found in the adrenal medulla, but extra-adrenal locations include the chest, bladder, abdomen, and brain; it is typically a benign tumor but can be malignant. Excessive amounts of epinephrine and norepinephrine are secreted. The complications associated with pheochromocytoma include hypertensive retinopathy and nephropathy, myocarditis, increased platelet aggregation, and stroke. Death can occur from shock, stroke, kidney failure, dysrhythmias, or dissecting aortic aneurysm. An irregular heart rate indicates the presence of a dysrhythmia. A coagulation time of 5 minutes is normal. A urinary output of 50 mL/hr is an adequate output. A blood urea nitrogen level of 20 mg/dL (7.1 mmol/L) is a normal finding.
The nurse is monitoring the laboratory results of a client receiving an antineoplastic medication by the intravenous route. The nurse plans to initiate bleeding precautions if which laboratory result is noted? 1. A clotting time of 10 minutes 2.An ammonia level of 10 mcg/dL (6 mcmol/L). 3.A platelet count of 50,000 mm3 (50 × 109/L) 4.A white blood cell count of 5000 mm3 (5.0 × 109/L)
3.A platelet count of 50,000 mm3 (50 × 109/L) Bleeding precautions need to be initiated when the platelet count decreases. The normal platelet count is 150,000 to 450,000 mm3 (150 to 400 × 109/L). When the platelet count decreases, the client is at risk for bleeding. The normal white blood cell count is 5000 to 10,000 mm3 (5.0 to 10.0 × 109/L). When the white blood cell count drops, neutropenic precautions need to be implemented. The normal clotting time is 8 to 15 minutes. The normal ammonia value is 10 to 80 mcg/dL (6 to 47 mcmol/L).
A client has just been admitted to the nursing unit following thyroidectomy. Which assessment is the priority for this client? 1. Hoarseness 2.Hypocalcemia 3.Audible stridor 4.Edema at the surgical site
3.Audible stridor Thyroidectomy is the removal of the thyroid gland, which is located in the anterior neck. It is very important to monitor airway status, as any swelling to the surgical site could cause respiratory distress. Although all of the options are important for the nurse to monitor, the priority nursing action is to monitor the airway.
The nurse provides instructions to a client who is taking levothyroxine. The nurse should tell the client to take the medication in which way? 1. With food 2.At lunchtime 3.On an empty stomach 4.At bedtime with a snack
3.On an empty stomach Oral doses of levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption. Dosing should be done in the morning before breakfast.
A client is receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin sodium to treat deep vein thrombosis. The client's activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 65 seconds. The nurse anticipates that which action is needed? 1. Discontinuing the heparin infusion 2.Increasing the rate of the heparin infusion 3.Decreasing the rate of the heparin infusion 4.Leaving the rate of the heparin infusion as is
4.Leaving the rate of the heparin infusion as is The normal aPTT varies between 30 and 40 seconds (30 and 40 seconds), depending on the type of activator used in testing. The therapeutic dose of heparin for treatment of deep vein thrombosis is to keep the aPTT between 1.5 (45 to 60) and 2.5 (75 to 100) times normal. This means that the client's value should not be less than 45 seconds or greater than 100 seconds. Thus, the client's aPTT is within the therapeutic range and the dose should remain unchanged.
