EAQs CH 36 Drugs Used to Treat Thyroid Disease

A patient is prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the treatment of a thyroid disorder, and the nurse learns that the patient is on estrogen therapy. Which finding would the nurse anticipate to observe in the patient's laboratory report?

Reduced level of circulating free thyroxine (T 4)

While administering radioactive iodine (iodine-131) to a patient with a thyroid disorder, the nurse accidentally spills a small amount of the medication on the floor. Which action would the nurse perform immediately?

Report any contamination to the supervisor.

Which body functions are regulated by the thyroid hormones?

Reproduction lipid metabolism growth and maturation

A patient with a thyroid disorder is prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The nurse learns from the patient's medical records that the patient is taking cholestyramine (Prevalite). Which intervention would the nurse anticipate to prevent complications?

Administering cholestyramine (Prevalite) doses at least 4 hours apart

The healthcare provider prescribes a synthetic form of the natural thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T 3) to a patient. Which medication does the nurse find in the patient's prescription?

Liothyronine (Cytomel)

Which medication is available as an injection?

Liothyronine (Cytomel)

A nurse is preparing a care plan for a patient who reports restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, muscle weakness, tremors, and diarrhea. Which intervention would the nurse include in the plan to achieve an effective treatment outcome?

Including a high-calorie diet with reduced roughage

Which statements about thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are correct?

It is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. & It stimulates the gland that releases T3 and T4.

After assessing a patient, the healthcare provider concludes that prompt action is needed to control the patient's hypothyroid state. Which medication does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed?

Liothyronine (Triostat)

Which medication for treatment of hypothyroidism is a synthetic mixture of levothyroxine (Synthroid) and liothyronine (Cytomel)?

Liotrix (Thyrolar)

When assessing a patient suspected of having a thyroid disorder, which question would help the nurse assess the patient's gastrointestinal system?

"Did you lose or gain weight over the past 3 months?"

Which instruction by the nurse is appropriate for a patient who is prescribed propylthiouracil for the treatment of a thyroid disorder?

"Do not stop taking the medication without first informing your healthcare provider, even if adverse effects develop."

Which assessment question asked by the nursing student indicates effective learning about obtaining the immunologic history of a patient who is suspected of having a thyroid disorder?

"Have you had any infections lately?"

Which statement made by a student nurse indicates effective understanding of drug therapies for thyroid disorders?

"Thyroid hormone replacements are prescribed to patients with hypothyroidism."

Which medication used to treat thyroid diseases may cause lymph node enlargement?

Methimazole ( Tapazole)

Which medication used to treat thyroid diseases may cause hepatotoxicity?

Methimazole (Tapazole)

A patient is receiving iodine-131 ( 131I) therapy. The nurse cannot administer a repeat dose of the drug for how many months?

3 months

A patient is receiving iodine-131 ( 131I) therapy. After administration of the drug, how much time must pass before the benefits of therapy will be fully assessed?

3 to 6 months

What pts would be prescibed iodine treatment

A hyperthyroid patient who has already undergone a thyroidectomy, A hyperthyroid patient with heart disease, & A 60-year-old hyperthyroid patient

For which adverse effect does the nurse monitor in a patient taking propylthiouracil (Propacil)?

Purpuric, macular rash

When a patient with a thyroid disorder is prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which parameters would the nurse assess before administering the medication?

Apical pulse, Bowel elimination patterns, and Nervousness and diaphoresis

What is calcium gluconate an antidote for?

Calcium gluconate is used as a cardioprotective agent in high blood potassium. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity

A patient with hypothyroidism is taking liotrix along with another drug. The nurse instructs the patient to take the doses of the drugs 4 hours apart. Which other drug is prescribed to the patient?

Cholestyramine

Which term was historically used to refer to the condition where a child is born without a thyroid gland?

Cretinism

For which patient would the nurse question the use of iodine-131 ( 131I) for treatment of hyperthyroidism?

Female patient of childbearing age

Which patient condition does the nurse infer from a 45-year-old patient's laboratory reports that show low serum levels of circulating triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) hormones?

Myxedema

A patient with a thyroid disorder is scheduled for a thyroidectomy. Which nursing interventions are appropriate while preparing the patient for surgery?

Ordering a bedside tracheostomy set & Keeping calcium gluconate and IV administration supplies ready

A patient with which condition may develop hyperthyroidism?

Pituitary gland tumors

When caring for a patient who is scheduled for a subtotal thyroidectomy, which short-term treatment does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed to the patient before the surgery?

Propylthiouracil

Which medications does the nurse identify as antithyroid agents?

Propylthiouracil Methimazole (Tapazole) Radioactive iodine

Which drugs block the synthesis of triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) in the thyroid gland?

Propylthiouracil methimazole (tapazole)

Which finding in a patient who is taking lithium (Eskalith) and is also receiving iodine-131 ( 131I) therapy would concern the nurse?

Symptoms of hypothyroidism and bipolar disorder

Which medication is derived from pig, beef, and sheep thyroid glands?

Thyroid USP (armour thyroid)

Which conditions may lead to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland?

Thyroiditis, Graves Desease, Thyroid carcinoma

Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is a synthetic form of the natural hormone T4 True or False

True

Propylthiouracil is an antithyroid True or False

True

Which nursing measure does the nurse implement while caring for a patient receiving iodine-131 ( 131I)?

Wear latex gloves when disposing the patient's excretions.

A patient who has been taking methimazole (Tapazole) for 1 year is planning to become pregnant. The healthcare provider replaces the medication with propylthiouracil until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy in an effort to prevent which complication?

birth defects

hyperthyroidism is also known as _________________

thyotoxicosis

The nurse would monitor the patient prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy for which adverse effect?

hyperthyroidism

Which thyroid hormone replacements are used to treat hypothyroidism?

liotrix (thyrolar), Liothyronine (cytomel), and Levothyroxine (synthroid)

thyroid surgery and radiation exposure may cause ___________

myxedema