PrepU Patho Ch 32

After receiving change-of-shift report about the following four clients, which client should the nurse assess first?

70-year-old returning from PACU following partial thyroidectomy who is extremely agitated, has an irregular pulse rate of 134, and an elevated temperature of 103.2°F (39.6°C) Manipulation of a hyperactive thyroid gland during thyroidectomy can cause thyroid storm. It is manifested by very high fever, extreme cardiovascular effects (tachycardia, HF, angina), and severe CNS effects (agitation, restlessness, and delirium). The 22-year-old has normal sodium levels. The 31-year old has a high blood glucose level but not at a critical level. The medication schedule for the 53-year-old is lower priority. It is always preferred to give medications in timely manner; however, thyroid storms are the priority for this group of clients.

The nurse is caring for several clients who are taking growth hormone replacement therapy. Which client does the nurse recognize is most at risk for side effects?

A 45-year-old obese client with an elevated serum IGF-1 concentration Side effects appear to be more common in people who are older, heavier, and are overtreated, as judged by a high serum IGF-1 concentration during therapy.

The mother of 6-year-old male and female fraternal twins has brought her son to see a pediatrician because he is nearly 4 inches shorter than his sister. Which phenomenon would the physician most likely suspect as contributing factor to the boy's short stature?

A shortage of hypothalamic GHRH production Inadequate levels of hypothalamic GHRH will result in adequate production but inadequate release of GH by the pituitary. Genetic short stature is less likely given the disparity between his height and his twin's, and a shortage of IGF receptors is not a noted pathology. While poorly controlled diabetes can contribute to short stature, excess insulin production is not a likely factor.

The nurse is assessing a male client and finds abnormally large hands and feet, a bulbous nose, and a broad face with a protruding jaw. Based on these findings, which endocrine abnormality is most likely the cause for these physical changes?

Acromegaly Enlargement of the small bones of the hands and feet and of the membranous bones of the face and skull results in a pronounced enlargement of the hands and feet, a broad and bulbous nose, a protruding jaw, and a slanting forehead. Bone overgrowth often leads to arthralgias and degenerative arthritis of the spine, hips, and knees. Virtually every organ of the body is increased in size. Enlargement of the heart and accelerated atherosclerosis may lead to an early death. Hyperthyroidism results from excess thyroid hormone. Myxedema and Cushing syndrome are the result of adrenal abnormalities and do not cause these bone changes.

Which classification of medication does the nurse prepare to administer to the client with hyperthyroidism that will block the effects of the hyperthyroid state on sympathetic nervous system function?

Beta-adrenergic blocking agent (beta-blocker) The beta-adrenergic blocking drugs (propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol, and nadolol are preferred) are administered to block the effects of the hyperthyroid state on sympathetic nervous system function. They are given in conjunction with antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil and methimazole.

A nurse on a medical unit is providing care for a 37-year-old female client who has a diagnosis of Graves disease. Which treatment would the nurse most likely anticipate providing for the client?

Beta-adrenergic blocking medications (beta-blockers) to reduce sympathetic nervous stimulation The hyperthyroidism that constitutes Graves disease can often be mitigated by the administration of beta-adrenergic blocking medications. Levothyroxine would be used to address hypothyroidism. Calcium channel blockers are not an identified treatment modality for Graves disease. Somatostatin analogs are used to treat GH excess.

Which complication of acromegaly can be life threatening?

Cardiac structures increase in size While all the complications can exist, it is the enlargement of the heart and accelerated atherosclerosis that may lead to an early death. The teeth become splayed, causing a disturbed bite and difficulty in chewing. Vertebral changes often lead to kyphosis, or hunchback. Bone overgrowth often leads to arthralgias and degenerative arthritis of the spine, hips, and knees. Virtually every organ of the body is increased in size.

The newborn nursery nurse is obtaining a blood sample to determine if a newborn has congenital hypothyroidism. What long-term complication is the nurse aware can occur if this test is not performed and the infant has congenital hypothyroidism?

Cretinism Congenital hypothyroidism is a common cause of preventable intellectual disability. It affects approximately 1 in 4000 infants. The manifestations of untreated congenital hypothyroidism are referred to as cretinism. The term does not apply to the normally developing infant in whom replacement thyroid hormones therapy was instituted shortly after birth.

A nurse on a medical unit is providing care for a 37-year-old female client who has a diagnosis of Graves disease. Which assessments should the nurse prioritize?

Eye health and visual acuity The ophthalmopathy of Graves disease can cause severe eye problems, including tethering of the extraocular muscles resulting in diplopia; involvement of the optic nerve, with some visual loss; and corneal ulceration because the lids do not close over the protruding eyeball (due to the exophthalmos). Eye assessment is consequently a priority over assessment of skin integrity, cognition, or musculoskeletal status.

The nurse is performing an assessment for a client who has hyperthyroidism that is untreated. When obtaining vital signs, what is the expected finding?

Heart rate 110 and bounding Cardiovascular and respiratory functions are strongly affected by thyroid function. With an increase in metabolism, there is a rise in oxygen consumption and production of metabolic end products, with an accompanying increase in vasodilation. Blood volume, cardiac output, and ventilation are all increased. Heart rate and cardiac contractility are enhanced as a means of maintaining the needed cardiac output. Blood pressure is likely to change little because the increase in vasodilation tends to offset the increase in cardiac output.

When the nurse is performing a health history for a client who is being admitted for hyperthyroidism, what symptom does the client report that the nurse would find associated with this disorder?

Increase in appetite Thyroid hormone enhances gastrointestinal function, causing an increase in motility and production of GI secretions that often results in diarrhea. An increase in appetite and food intake accompanies the higher metabolic rate that occurs with increased thyroid hormone levels. At the same time, weight loss occurs because of the increased use of calories.

A client comes to the clinic with fatigue and muscle weakness. The client also states she has been having diarrhea. The nurse observes the skin of the client has a bronze tone and when asked, the client says she has not had any sun exposure. The mucous membranes of the gums are bluish-black. When reviewing laboratory results from this client, what does the nurse anticipate seeing?

Increased levels of ACTH Hyperpigmentation results from elevated levels of ACTH. The skin looks bronzed or suntanned in exposed and unexposed areas, and the normal creases and pressure points tend to become especially dark. The gums and oral mucous membranes may become bluish-black. The amino acid sequence of ACTH is strikingly similar to that of melanocyte stimulating hormone; hyperpigmentation occurs in more than 90 percent of persons with Addison disease and is helpful in distinguishing the primary and secondary forms of adrenal insufficiency.

A parent arrives in the endocrinology clinic with her 8-year-old son, concerned about his rapid development and tall stature. What significant assessment finding does the nurse recognize is important to report to the physician related to the development of precocious puberty?

Significant genital enlargement Diagnosis of precocious puberty is based on physical findings of early thelarche, adrenarche, and menarche. The most common sign in boys is early genital enlargement. Radiologic findings may indicate advanced bone age. People with precocious puberty are unusually tall for their age as children but short as adults because of the early closure of the epiphyses.

The nurse is educating a newly diagnosed client with Hashimoto thyroiditis who is to be discharged from the acute care facility. What should the nurse be sure to include in the education to prevent complications?

The client should be informed about the signs and symptoms of severe hypothyroidism and the need for early intervention. Prevention is preferable to treatment and entails special attention to high-risk populations, such as women with a history of Hashimoto thyroiditis. These persons should be informed about the signs and symptoms of severe hypothyroidism and the need for early medical treatment.

The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client with Graves disease who has ophthalmopathy. What should the nurse be sure to include in the instructions to decrease exacerbation of this clinical manifestation?

The client should be strongly urged not to smoke. Ophthalmopathy can also be aggravated by smoking, which should be strongly discouraged. It is not necessary for the client to avoid contact with others. Alcohol is not contraindicated but should be limited when taking any medication regimen. The client should not adjust the doses of medications without first consulting the physician.

Diagnostic testing has revealed that a client has pituitary hypofunction, resulting in deficient production of ACTH. The nurse should recognize which implication of this finding?

The client will require exogenous supplements of cortisol. Cortisol replacement is started when ACTH deficiency is present. ACTH does not affect thyroid hormone levels. Growth will not occur; the client will have less GH than normal. Cushing syndrome results from glucocorticoid excess, which is the opposite of what will occur.

A client who has just undergone a thyroidectomy is experiencing high fever, tachycardia, and extreme restlessness. The nurse would interpret these findings as manifestations of which complication?

Thyroid storm The symptoms this client is experiencing are related to thyroid storm and must be treated immediately to prevent death. Myxedema coma is related to hypothyroidism but typically does not occur after a thyroidectomy. Addisonian crisis is related to hypoadrenalism.

A client with severe hypothyroidism is presently experiencing hypothermia. What nursing intervention is a priority in the care of this client?

Slow rewarming of the client to prevent vasodilation and vascular collapse If hypothermia is present, active rewarming of the body is contraindicated because it may induce vasodilation and vascular collapse. Prevention is preferable to treatment and entails special attention to high risk populations, such as women with a history of Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Hyperthyroidism that is inadequately treated can cause a life-threatening condition known as a thyroid storm. What are the manifestations of a thyroid storm? Select all that apply.

Tachycardia Very high fever Delirium Thyroid storm is manifested by a very high fever, extreme cardiovascular effects (e.g., tachycardia, congestive failure, and angina), and severe CNS effects (e.g., agitation, restlessness, and delirium). The mortality rate is high. Very low fever and bradycardia are not manifestations of a thyroid storm.

A newborn is screened for congenital hypothyroidism and is found to have the disorder. When educating the mother about the importance of the infant taking thyroid hormone supplement, what should be included in the education?

The infant will have dosage levels adjusted as he grows. Congenital hypothyroidism is treated by hormone replacement. Evidence indicates that it is important to normalize T4 levels as rapidly as possible because a delay is accompanied by poorer psychomotor and mental development. Dosage levels are adjusted as the child grows. When early and adequate treatment regimens are followed, the risk of intellectual disability in infants detected by screening programs is essentially nonexistent.