Drugs for Thyroid Disorders
Which statement is the most important for a nurse to make to a patient who is taking methimazole? a. "You need to notify your doctor if you have a sore throat and fever." b. Another medication can be given if you experience any nausea." c. "You may experience some muscle soreness with this medicine." d. "Headache and dizziness may occur but not very frequently."
A
A patient has been given instructions about levothyroxine [Synthroid]. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of these instructions? a. "I'll take this medication in the morning so as not to interfere with sleep." b. "I'll plan to double my dose if I gain more than 1 pound per day." c. "It is best to take the medication with food so I don't have any nausea." d. "I'll be glad when I don't have to take this medication in a few months."
A
A patient has been taking levothyroxine for several years and reports that "for the past 2 weeks,the drug doesn't seem to work as well as before." What will the nurse do? a. Ask the patient when the prescription was last refilled. b. Expect the patient to have an elevated temperature and tachycardia. c. Suggest that the patient begin taking calcium supplements. d. Tell the patient to try taking the medication with food.
A
Which manifestations should a nurse investigate first when monitoring a patient who is taking levothyroxine [Synthroid]? a. Tachycardia b. Tremors c. Insomnia d. Irritability
A
A nurse is caring for a patient with decreased triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The nurse knows the patient is likely suffering from what? a. Thyrotoxicosis b. Hypothyroidism c. Hyperthyroidism d. Graves' disease
B
A nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking methimazole (Tapazole) for Graves' diseaseabout the medication. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching? a. "Because of the risk for liver toxicity, I will need frequent liver function tests." b. "I should report a sore throat or fever to my provider if either occurs." c. "I will need a complete blood count every few months." d. "It is safe to get pregnant while taking this medication."
B
Which finding in a patient taking levothyroxine [Synthroid] and warfarin [Coumadin] would require follow-up by a nurse? a. Cardiac dysrhythmias b. Excessive bruising c. Weight loss of 5 kg d. Shortness of breath
B
A patient in her twenties with Graves' disease who takes methimazole (Tapazole) tells a nurse that she is trying to conceive and asks about disease management during pregnancy. What will the nurse tell her? a. Methimazole is safe to take throughout pregnancy. b. Propylthiouracil (PTU) should be taken throughout her pregnancy. c. The patient should discuss changing to propylthiouracil (PTU) from now until her second trimester with her provider. d. The patient should discuss therapy with iodine-131 instead of medications with her provider.
C
A patient with Graves' disease is treated with iodine-131 therapy. Which statement by the patient would indicate understanding of the treatment's effects? a. "I'll have to isolate myself from my family so I don't expose them to radiation." b. "I'm looking forward to feeling better immediately after this treatment." c. "I'll tell my doctor if I have fatigue, hair loss, or cold intolerance." d. "I'll need to take this drug on a daily basis for at least 1 year."
C
A nurse is teaching a patient who has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism about levothyroxine(Synthroid). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching? a. "I should not take heartburn medication without consulting my provider." b. "I should report insomnia, tremors, and an increased heart rate to my provider." c. "If I take a multivitamin with iron, I should take it 4 hours after the Synthroid." d. "If I take calcium supplements, I may need to decrease my dose of Synthroid."
D