Endocrine Function

A nursing student asks the instructor why the pituitary gland is called the "master gland." What is the best response by the instructor? A. "It regulates the function of other endocrine glands." B. "It is the gland that is responsible for regulating the hypothalamus." C. "The gland does not have any other function than to cause secretion of the growth hormone." D. "It regulates metabolism."

A. "It regulates the function of other endocrine glands."

Which type of cell secretes glucagon and promotes gluconeogenesis? A. Alpha B. Beta C. Delta D. Omega

A. Alpha

A patient's thyroid gland has secreted T3 and T4 into the bloodstream. This occurs in response to the stimulation of a hormone originating in the: A. Anterior pituitary gland B. Adrenal cortex C. Parathyroid gland D. Pancreas

A. Anterior pituitary gland

The primary function of the thyroid gland includes which of the following? A. Control of cellular metabolic activity B. Facilitation of milk ejection C. Reabsorption of water D. Reduction of plasma level of calcium

A. Control of cellular metabolic activity

Which disorder is characterized by a group of symptoms produced by an excess of free circulating cortisol from the adrenal cortex? A. Cushing syndrome B. Addison disease C. Graves disease D. Hashimoto disease

A. Cushing syndrome

An adult patient is experiencing a temporary decrease in serum levels of T3 and T4. What physiological response is this state likely to result in? A. Increased release of TSH B. Increased reabsorption of T3 and T4 in the renal tubules C. Release of sequestered T3 and T4 by the spleen D. Compensatory release of T5 by the parathyroid

A. Increased release of TSH

The nurse knows to advise the patient with hyperparathyroidism that he or she should be aware of signs of the common complication of: A. Kidney Stones B. Heart palpitations C. Bone fractures D. Gastric esophageal reflex

A. Kidney Stones

A 60-year-old woman has just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism after a diagnostic workup. What sign or symptom most likely motivated the woman to originally seek care? A. Lethargy and apathy B. Abnormal hair growth and excessive perspiration C. Flushed skin and pruritus D. Aggression and increased appetite

A. Lethargy and apathy

A client is suspected to have a pituitary tumor due to signs of diabetes insipidus. What initial test does the nurse help to prepare the client for? A. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) B. Radioactive iodine uptake test C. Radioimmunoassay D. A nuclear scan

A. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Hypocalcemia is associated with which of the following manifestations? A. Muscle twitching B. Bowl hypomotility C. Fatigue D. Polyuria

A. Muscle twitching

Which glands regulate calcium and phosphorous metabolism? A. Parathyroid B. Thyroid C. Adrenal D. Pituitary

A. Parathyroid

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has which effects on the kidney? A. Stimulation of calcium reabsorption and phosphate excretion B. Stimulation of phosphate reabsorption and calcium excretion C. Increased absorption of vitamin D and excretion of vitamin E D. Increased absorption of vitamin E and excretion of vitamin D

A. Stimulation of calcium reabsorption and phosphate excretion

A client is being screened for a thyroid disorder. The nurse would anticipate that the client would most likely undergo which test? A. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) B. T4 C. T3 D. needle aspiration

A. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory order for a client suspected of having an endocrine disorder. The lab slip includes obtaining cortisol levels. What is being tested? A. adrenal function B. thyroid function C. thymus function D. parathyroid function

A. adrenal function

A nurse working in the ED at a level 1 trauma center is notified that casualties from a multivehicle car accident are currently in transit. The nurse's heart is pounding and mouth is dry. What gland is responsible for this nurse's physiologic response? A. adrenal medulla B. thyroid gland C. adrenal cortex D. pineal gland

A. adrenal medulla

A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism that explains this condition. When describing the underlying problem, the nurse would most likely include a discussion about which mineral? A. calcium B. sodium C. potassium D. magnesium

A. calcium

Which diagnostic test is done to determine suspected pituitary tumor? A. computed tomography scan B. measurement of blood hormone levels C. radioimmunoassay D. radiographs of the abdomen

A. computed tomography scan

During a client education session, the nurse describes the mechanism of hormone level maintenance. What causes most hormones to be secreted? A. decrease in hormonal levels B. increase in hormonal levels C. hormonal overproduction D. hormonal underproduction

A. decrease in hormonal levels

A client has been experiencing a decrease in serum calcium. After diagnostics, the physician proposes the calcium level fluctuation is due to altered parathyroid function. What is the typical number of parathyroid glands? A. four B. three C. two D. one

A. four

A client has been experiencing a decrease in serum calcium. After diagnostics, the physician believes the calcium level fluctuation is due to altered parathyroid function. What is the role of parathormone? A. increase serum calcium level B. inhibit release of calcium into extracellular fluid C. decrease serum calcium level D. promote urinary secretion of calcium

A. increase serum calcium level

Although not designated as endocrine glands, several organs within the body secrete hormones as part of their normal function. Which organ secretes hormones involved in increasing blood pressure and volume and maturation of red blood cells? A. kidneys B. cardiac atria C. brain D. liver

A. kidneys

A nurse is caring for a client with a kidney disorder. What hormone released by the kidneys initiates the production of angiotensin and aldosterone to increase blood pressure and blood volume? A. renin B. erythropoietin C. cholecystokinin D. gastrin

A. renin

A nurse is assessing a client with Cushing's syndrome. Which observation should the nurse report to the physician immediately? A. Pitting edema of the legs B. An irregular apical pulse C. Dry mucous membranes D. Frequent urination

B. An irregular apical pulse

A 59-year-old patient is being assessed for hypoparathyroidism. The nurse should anticipate that this patient is likely to require what diagnostic test? A. CT of the abdomen B. Bone density testing C. Cardiac stress testing D. 24-hour urine

B. Bone density testing

A client with a history of Addison's disease and flu-like symptoms accompanied by nausea and vomiting over the past week is brought to the facility. His wife reports that he acted confused and was extremely weak when he awoke that morning. The client's blood pressure is 90/58 mm Hg, his pulse is 116 beats/minute, and his temperature is 101° F (38.3° C). A diagnosis of acute adrenal insufficiency is made. What should the nurse expect to administer by IV infusion? A. Insulin B. Hydrocortisone C. Potassium D. Hypotonic saline

B. Hydrocortisone

A client has a dysfunction in one of his glands that is causing a decrease in the level of calcium in the blood. What gland should be evaluated for dysfunction? A. Thyroid gland B. Parathyroid gland C. Thymus gland D. Adrenal gland

B. Parathyroid gland

A nurse is providing care to a client who is experiencing low blood glucose levels. The nurse understands that the body attempts to raise the level by secreting which hormone? A. insulin B. glucagon C. somatostatin D. aldosterone

B. glucagon

During the first 24 hours after a client is diagnosed with addisonian crisis, which intervention should the nurse perform frequently? A. Weigh the client. B. Test urine for ketones. C. Assess vital signs. D. Administer oral hydrocortisone.

C. Assess vital signs.

A nurse is assigned to care for a patient with increased parathormone secretion. Which of the following serum levels should the nurse monitor for this patient? A. Glucose B. Sodium C. Calcium D. Potassium

C. Calcium

Which hormone would be responsible for increasing blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis? A. Somatostatin B. Insulin C. Glucagon D. Cholecystokinin

C. Glucagon

A client is having chronic pain from arthritis. What type of hormone is released in response to the stress of this pain that suppresses inflammation and helps the body withstand stress? A. Testosterone B. Mineralocorticoids C. Glucocorticoids D. Estrogen

C. Glucocorticoids

Which instruction should be included in the discharge teaching plan for a client after thyroidectomy for Graves' disease? A. Keep an accurate record of intake and output. B. Use nasal desmopressin acetate (DDAVP). C. Have regular follow-up care. D. Exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness.

C. Have regular follow-up care.

The nursing educator is teaching a group of new graduates about Addison's disease. What symptom would the educator identify as being characteristic of Addison's disease? A. Truncal obesity B. Hypertension C. Muscle weakness D. "Moon" face

C. Muscle weakness

An instructor is preparing a teaching plan for a class on the various pituitary hormones. Which hormone would the instructor include as being released by the posterior pituitary gland? A. Somatotropin B. Prolactin C. Oxytocin D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone

C. Oxytocin

A client visits the clinic to seek treatment for disturbed sleep cycles and depressed mood. Which glands and hormones help to regulate sleep cycles and mood? A. Thymus gland, thymosin B. Parathyroid glands, parathormone C. Pineal gland, melatonin D. Adrenal cortex, corticosteroids

C. Pineal gland, melatonin

A nurse explains to a client with thyroid disease that the thyroid gland normally produces: A. iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). B. thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and TSH. C. TSH, triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. D. T3, thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin.

C. TSH, triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin.

A client is scheduled for a diagnostic test to measure blood hormone levels. The nurse expects that this test will determine which of the following? A. The concentration of a substance in plasma B. Details about the size of the organ and its location C. The functioning of endocrine glands D. The client's blood sugar level

C. The functioning of endocrine glands

The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory studies and determines that the client has an elevated calcium level. What does the nurse know will occur as a result of the rise in the serum calcium level? A. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of T lymphocytes. B. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of erythropoietin. C. A rise in serum calcium inhibits the release of calcitonin. D. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of calcitonin from the thyroid gland.

D. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of calcitonin from the thyroid gland.

A patient with pheochromocytoma has been admitted for an adrenalectomy tomorrow. The patient is to start IV medication this evening to prevent adrenal insufficiency. What medication is the patient most likely to require? A. Antibiotics B. Antihypertensives C. Parenteral nutrition D. Corticosteroids

D. Corticosteroids

A client is being seen in the clinic to receive the results of the lab work to determine thyroid levels. The nurse observes the client's eyes appear to be bulging, and there is swelling around the eyes. What does the nurse know that the correct documentation of this finding is? A. Retinal detachment B. Periorbital swelling C. Bulging eyes D. Exophthalmos

D. Exophthalmos

In response to a patient's elevated blood glucose level, the nurse has administered a dose of insulin as ordered. The nurse understands that insulin results in a lowered level of blood glucose by: A. Breaking the molecular bonds in glucose molecules B. Stimulating thyroid hormone release and increasing metabolic needs C. Inhibiting the action of glucagon D. Facilitating glucose transport into body cells

D. Facilitating glucose transport into body cells

The nurse knows to assess a patient with hyperthyroidism for the primary indicator of: A. Fatigue B. Weight gain C. Constipation D. Intolerance to heat

D. Intolerance to heat

A hospital patient's most recent blood work reveals a Ca2+ level of 14.2 mg/dL (normal 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL) and a phosphorus level of 1.4 mg/dL (normal 3.0 to 4.5 mg/dL). What hormone has the potential to cause this alteration in the patient's electrolyte levels? A. Calcitonin B. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) C. Thyroid hormone D. Parathyroid hormone

D. Parathyroid hormone

A postpartum client is receiving intravenous oxytocin (Pitocin) after birth. Why will this medication be used for this client after the birth of her child? A. Will prevent lactation for a woman who is bottle feeding her newborn B. Decreases the postpartum cramping C. Helps treat nausea D. Stimulates the contraction of the uterus and prevents bleeding

D. Stimulates the contraction of the uterus and prevents bleeding

Cardiac effects of hyperthyroidism include: A. decreased pulse pressure. B. decreased systolic BP. C. bradycardia. D. palpitations.

D. palpitations.

During a follow-up visit to the physician, a client with hyperparathyroidism asks the nurse to explain the physiology of the parathyroid glands. The nurse states that these glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH maintains the balance between calcium and: A. sodium. B. potassium. C. magnesium. D. phosphorus.

D. phosphorus.