Endocrine Practice Problems

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory reports of a client and notes an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? A. Bradycardia B. Tremors C. Low-grade fever D. Diaphoresis

A. Bradycardia

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus about the pathophysiology of the disease. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? A. "My cells are resistant to the effects of insulin." B. "My body breaks down sugars too efficiently." C. "My pancreas does not produce insulin." D. "My body produces antibodies against pancreatic beta cells."

A. "My cells are resistant to the effects of insulin."

A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who has pancreatitis. In which of the following laboratory results should the nurse expect to see an elevation? A. Amylase B. Potassium C. Calcium D. Hematocrit

A. Amylase

A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has a fruity breath odor, a dry mouth, and extreme thirst. Which of the following assessments should the nurse make? A. Blood glucose level B. Pupillary reaction to light C. Deep tendon reflexes D. Liver function tests

A. Blood glucose level

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a parathyroidectomy to treat hyperparathyroidism. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse expect to decrease as a therapeutic effect of the procedure? A. Calcium B. Sodium C. Potassium D. Phosphorous

A. Calcium

A nurse is planning care for a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan? A. Encourage the client to control weight B. Inspect the client's feet once each week C. Restrict the client's activity D. Apply moisturizer between the client's toes

A. Encourage the client to control weight

A nurse is checking laboratory values to determine if a client with diabetes mellitus is adhering to the treatment plan. Which of the following tests should the nurse use to make this determination? A. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels B. Urine sugar and acetone levels C. Glucose tolerance test D. Fasting serum glucose

A. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to receive peritoneal dialysis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? A. Warm the dialysate solution prior to administration B. Cleanse the catheter site using a back and forth motion, beginning at the end of the catheter and moving inward C. Place the drainage bag at the level of the client's chest D. Apply clean gloves and cleanse the client's catheter site with cold water

A. Warm the dialysate solution prior to administration

A nurse is teaching a client who had a vaginal hysterectomy with a bilateral oophorectomy. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include in the teaching? A. "Plan to use some type of birth control for up to 6 weeks after surgery." B. "Use a water-based lubricant when having sexual intercourse." C. "Expect to have an increase in bloody vaginal drainage during the first 10 days after surgery." D. "Plan to start some type of aerobic exercise such as swimming within a week after surgery."

B. "Use a water-based lubricant when having sexual intercourse."

A nurse is providing teaching about exercise to a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following statements should the nurse include? A. "You should exercise during a peak insulin time." B. "Wear a medical alert identification tag when you exercise." C. "Exercise can decrease the effects of insulin and cause your blood glucose levels to increase." D. "You will get the most benefit from exercise when your glucose levels are higher than normal."

B. "Wear a medical alert identification tag when you exercise."

A nurse is caring for a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and a capillary blood glucose reading of 48 mg/dL. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? A. Kussmaul respirations B. Diaphoresis C. Decreased skin turgor D. Ketonuria

B. Diaphoresis

A nurse is conducting a home visit for an older adult client who has diabetes mellitus and takes regular insulin subcutaneously before each meal. The client appears disoriented and weak and has slurred speech. Which of the following conditions should the nurse consider first when responding to these manifestations? A. Dementia B. Hypoglycemia C. Infection D. Transient ischemic attack

B. Hypoglycemia

A nurse is monitoring a client following a thyroidectomy for the presence of hypoparathyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? A. Elevated blood pressure B. Involuntary muscle spasms C. Cold intolerance D. Weight loss

B. Involuntary muscle spasms

A nurse is planning a community health screening for a group of clients who are at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following clients should the nurse include in the screening? A. Men who smoke B. Men and women who are obese C. Women who have hepatitis D. Men and women who consume high-protein and low-carbohydrate foods

B. Men and women who are obese

A nurse is assessing a client who is recovering from a thyroidectomy and has a harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? A. Hyperextend the client's neck B. Prepare for a tracheostomy C. Lower the head of the bed D. Administer morphine

B. Prepare for a tracheostomy

A nurse is preparing a 24-hr urine specimen for a client who is suspected to have pheochromocytoma. Which of the following laboratory tests from the 24-hr urine specimen should the nurse use to determine the client's condition? A. Creatinine clearance B. Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) C. 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) D. Protein

B. Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)

A nurse is teaching a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? A. "I will apply moisturizer between my toes." B. "I will soak my feet daily." C. "I'll be sure to wear cotton socks every day." D. "I'll use a heating pad to warm my feet."

C. "I'll be sure to wear cotton socks every day."

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus. The client states, "I eat pasta every day. I can't imagine giving it up." Which of the following responses should the nurse provide? A. "Let's discuss this with your doctor; giving up daily pasta may not be necessary." B. "Is there another favorite dish you can substitute?" C. "You don't have to give up pasta; just adjust the amount you eat." D. "You can use no-added-salt tomato products on your pasta."

C. "You don't have to give up pasta; just adjust the amount you eat."

A nurse is monitoring a client who has syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? A. Polyuria B. Dehydration C. Hyponatremia D. Hyperthermia

C. Hyponatremia

A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? A. Urine negative for ketones B. Distended neck veins C. Kussmaul respirations D. Elevated blood pressure

C. Kussmaul respirations

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has Addison's disease about healthy snack foods. Which of the following food choices by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? A. Sliced bananas B. Baked potato C. Turkey and cheese sandwich D. Plain yogurt with peaches

C. Turkey and cheese sandwich

A nurse is teaching a client about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Which of the following directions should the nurse provide? A. "You should fast for 8 hours after the PSA test." B. "Annual PSA screening should begin at age 40." C. "Expected PSA values will decrease as you get older." D. "You should not ejaculate for 24 hours prior to the PSA test."

D. "You should not ejaculate for 24 hours prior to the PSA test."

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following results indicates that the client's diabetes is controlled? A. HbA1c 8.5% B. Postprandial blood glucose 190 mg/dL C. Casual blood glucose 205 mg/dL D. Fasting blood glucose 95 mg/dL

D. Fasting blood glucose 95 mg/dL

A nurse is planning care for a client who is experiencing the Somogyi effect and takes intermittent-acting insulin. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan? A. Move the evening intermediate-acting insulin dose to 90 min before dinner B. Increase the client's morning caloric intake C. Omit the client's evening snack D. Monitor the client's nighttime blood glucose levels

D. Monitor the client's nighttime blood glucose levels

A nurse is caring for a client who has urolithiasis and requires further diagnostic testing after an initial test indicated hypercalcemia. Which of the following structures controls calcium concentration? A. Pancreas B. Thyroid gland C. Anterior pituitary gland D. Parathyroid gland

D. Parathyroid gland