Endocrine Practice Questions

A nurse assesses clients with potential endocrine disorders. Which clients are at high risk for hypopituitarism? (Select all that apply.) a. A 20-year-old female with benign pituitary tumors b. A 32-year-old male with diplopia c. A 41-year-old female with anorexia nervosa d. A 55-year-old male with hypertension e. A 60-year-old female who is experiencing shock f. A 68-year-old male who has gained weight recently

a. A 20-year-old female with benign pituitary tumors c. A 41-year-old female with anorexia nervosa d. A 55-year-old male with hypertension e. A 60-year-old female who is experiencing shock

A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed a 24-hour urine collection. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that, while pouring urine into the collection container, some urine splashed his hand. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Ask the UAP if he washed his hands afterward. b. Have the UAP fill out an incident report. c. Ask the laboratory if the container has preservative in it. d. Send the UAP to Employee Health right away.

a. Ask the UAP if he washed his hands afterward.

A nurse teaches a client who is prescribed an unsealed radioactive isotope. Which statements should the nurse include in this clients education? (Select all that apply.) a. Do not share utensils, plates, and cups with anyone else. b. You can play with your grandchildren for 1 hour each day. c. Eat foods high in vitamins such as apples, pears, and oranges. d. Wash your clothing separate from others in the household. e. Take a laxative 2 days after therapy to excrete the radiation.

a. Do not share utensils, plates, and cups with anyone else. d. Wash your clothing separate from others in the household. e. Take a laxative 2 days after therapy to excrete the radiation.

A nurse cares for clients with hormone disorders. Which are common key features of hormones? (Select all that apply.) a. Hormones may travel long distances to get to their target tissues. b. Continued hormone activity requires continued production and secretion. c. Control of hormone activity is caused by negative feedback mechanisms. d. Most hormones are stored in the target tissues for use later. e. Most hormones cause target tissues to change activities by changing gene activity.

a. Hormones may travel long distances to get to their target tissues. b. Continued hormone activity requires continued production and secretion. c. Control of hormone activity is caused by negative feedback mechanisms

A nurse assesses a client diagnosed with adrenal hypofunction. Which client statement should the nurse correlate with this diagnosis? a. I have a terrible craving for potato chips b. I cannot seem to drink enough water. c. I no longer have an appetite for anything. d. I get hungry even after eating a meal.

a. I have a terrible craving for potato chips

A nurse teaches a client with hyperthyroidism. Which dietary modifications should the nurse include in this clients teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. Increased carbohydrates b. Decreased fats c. Increased calorie intake d. Supplemental vitamins e. Increased proteins

a. Increased carbohydrates c. Increased calorie intake e. Increased proteins

A nurse cares for a client with a deficiency of aldosterone. Which assessment finding should the nurse correlate with this deficiency? a. Increased urine output b. Vasoconstriction c. Blood glucose of 98 mg/dL d. Serum sodium of 144 mEq/L

a. Increased urine output

A nurse assesses a client with Cushings disease. Which assessment findings should the nurse correlate with this disorder? (Select all that apply.) a. Moon face b. Weight loss c. Hypotension d. Petechiae e. Muscle atrophy

a. Moon face d. Petechiae e. Muscle atrophy

An emergency nurse cares for a client who is experiencing an acute adrenal crisis. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Obtain intravenous access. b. Administer hydrocortisone succinate (Solu-Cortef). c. Assess blood glucose. d. Administer insulin and dextrose.

a. Obtain intravenous access.

A nurse assesses a client with anterior pituitary hyperfunction. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.) a. Protrusion of the lower jaw b. High-pitched voice c. Enlarged hands and feet d. Kyphosise. e.Barrel-shaped chest f. Excessive sweating

a. Protrusion of the lower jaw c. Enlarged hands and feet d. Kyphosise. e.Barrel-shaped chest f. Excessive sweating

A nurse assesses a client who potentially has hyperaldosteronism. Which serum laboratory values should the nurse associate with this disorder? (Select all that apply.) a. Sodium: 150 mEq/L b. Sodium: 130 mEq/L c. Potassium: 2.5 mEq/L d. Potassium: 5.0 mEq/L e. pH: 7.28 f. pH: 7.50

a. Sodium: 150 mEq/L c. Potassium: 2.5 mEq/L e. pH: 7.28

A nurse cares for a client with a hypofunctioning anterior pituitary gland. Which hormones should the nurse expect to be affected by this condition? (Select all that apply.) a. Thyroid-stimulating hormone b. Vasopressin c. Follicle-stimulating hormone d. Calcitonin e. Growth hormone

a. Thyroid-stimulating hormone c. Follicle-stimulating hormone e. Growth hormone

While assessing a client with Graves disease, the nurse notes that the clients temperature has risen 1 F. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Turn the lights down and shut the clients door. b. Call for an immediate electrocardiogram (ECG) c. Calculate the clients apical-radial pulse deficit. d. Administer a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol).

a. Turn the lights down and shut the clients door.

A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed vasopressin (DDAVP) for diabetes insipidus. Which assessment findings indicate a therapeutic response to this therapy? (Select all that apply.) a. Urine output is increased. b. Urine output is decreased. c. Specific gravity is increased. d. Specific gravity is decreased. e. Urine osmolality is increased. f. Urine osmolality is decreased.

a. Urine output is increased. d. Specific gravity is decreased. f. Urine osmolality is decreased.

A nurse assesses clients for potential endocrine disorders. Which client is at greatest risk for hyperparathyroidism? a. A 29-year-old female with pregnancy-induced hypertension b. A 41-year-old male receiving dialysis for end-stage kidney disease c. A 66-year-old female with moderate heart failure d. A 72-year-old male who is prescribed home oxygen therapy

b. A 41-year-old male receiving dialysis for end-stage kidney disease

A nurse cares for a client newly diagnosed with Graves disease. The clients mother asks, I have diabetes mellitus. Am I responsible for my daughters disease? How should the nurse respond? a. The fact that you have diabetes did not cause your daughter to have Graves disease. No connection is known between Graves disease and diabetes. b. An association has been noted between Graves disease and diabetes, but the fact that you have diabetes did not cause your daughter to have Graves disease. c. Graves disease is associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but not with a disease such as diabetes mellitus. d. Unfortunately, Graves disease is associated with diabetes, and your diabetes could have led to your daughter having Graves disease.

b. An association has been noted between Graves disease and diabetes, but the fact that you have diabetes did not cause your daughter to have Graves disease.

A nurse assesses a female client who presents with hirsutism. Which question should the nurse ask when assessing this client? a. How do you plan to pay for your treatments? b. How do you feel about yourself? c. What medications are you prescribed? d. What are you doing to prevent this from happening?

b. How do you feel about yourself?

12. A nurse cares for a client who has excessive catecholamine release. Which assessment finding should the nurse correlate with this condition? a. Decreased blood pressure b. Increased pulse c. Decreased respiratory rate d. Increased urine output

b. Increased pulse

A nurse evaluates the following laboratory results for a client who has hypoparathyroidism: Calcium 7.2 mg/dL Sodium 144 mEq/L Magnesium 1.2 mEq/L Potassium 5.7 mEq/L Based on these results, which medications should the nurse anticipate administering? (Select all that apply.) a. Oral potassium chloride b. Intravenous calcium chloride c. 3% normal saline IV solution d. 50% magnesium sulfate e. Oral calcitriol (Rocaltrol)

b. Intravenous calcium chloride d. 50% magnesium sulfate

A nurse cares for a client who presents with bradycardia secondary to hypothyroidism. Which medication should the nurse anticipate being prescribed to the client? a. Atropine sulfate b. Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) c. Propranolol (Inderal) d. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)

b. Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid)

A nurse teaches a client with Cushings disease. Which dietary requirements should the nurse include in this clients teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. Low calcium b. Low carbohydrate c. Low protein d. Low calories e. Low sodium

b. Low carbohydrate d. Low calories e. Low sodium

A nurse cares for a client with adrenal hyperfunction. The client screams at her husband, bursts into tears, and throws her water pitcher against the wall. She then tells the nurse, I feel like I am going crazy. How should the nurse respond? a. I will ask your doctor to order a psychiatric consult for you. b. You feel this way because of your hormone levels. c. Can I bring you information about support groups? d. I will close the door to your room and restrict visitors.

b. You feel this way because of your hormone levels.

A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a subtotal thyroidectomy. On the second postoperative day the client states, I feel numbness and tingling around my mouth. What action should the nurse take? a. Offer mouth care. b. Loosen the dressing. c. Assess for Chvosteks sign. d. Ask the client orientation questions.

c. Assess for Chvosteks sign.

A nurse plans care for a client with hypothyroidism. Which priority problem should the nurse plan to address first for this client? a. Heat intolerance b. Body image problems c. Depression and withdrawal d. Obesity and water retention

c. Depression and withdrawal

After teaching a client with acromegaly who is scheduled for a hypophysectomy, the nurse assesses the clients understanding. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for additional teaching? a. I will no longer need to limit my fluid intake after surgery. b. I am glad no visible incision will result from this surgery. c. I hope I can go back to wearing size 8 shoes instead of size 12. d. I will wear slip-on shoes after surgery to limit bending over.

c. I hope I can go back to wearing size 8 shoes instead of size 12

A nurse cares for a client with elevated triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and normal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Administer levothyroxine (Synthroid). b. Administer propranolol (Inderal). c. Monitor the apical pulse. d. Assess for Trousseaus sign. e. Initiate telemetry monitoring.

c. Monitor the apical pulse. e. Initiate telemetry monitoring.

A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed a serum catecholamine test. Which action should the nurse take when obtaining the sample? a. Discard the first sample and then begin the collection b. Draw the blood sample after the client eats breakfast. c. Place the sample on ice and send to the laboratory immediately. d. Add preservatives before sending the sample to the laboratory.

c. Place the sample on ice and send to the laboratory immediately.

14. A nurse cares for a client who is recovering from a hypophysectomy. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Keep the head of the bed flat and the client supine. b. Instruct the client to cough, turn, and deep breathe. c. Report clear or light yellow drainage from the nose. d. Apply petroleum jelly to lips to avoid dryness.

c. Report clear or light yellow drainage from the nose.

A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. The nurse notes nuchal rigidity. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Encourage range-of-motion exercises b. Document the finding and monitor the client. c. Take vital signs, including temperature. d. Assess pain and administer pain medication.

c. Take vital signs, including temperature.

A nurse plans care for a client with Cushings disease. Which action should the nurse include in this clients plan of care to prevent injury? a. Pad the siderails of the clients bed. b. Assist the client to change positions slowly. c. Use a lift sheet to change the clients position. d. Keep suctioning equipment at the clients bedside.

c. Use a lift sheet to change the clients position

A nurse cares for a client who has hypothyroidism as a result of Hashimotos thyroiditis. The client asks, How long will I need to take this thyroid medication? How should the nurse respond? a. You will need to take the thyroid medication until the goiter is completely gone. b. Thyroiditis is cured with antibiotics. Then you wont need thyroid medication. c. Youll need thyroid pills for life because your thyroid wont start working again. d. When blood tests indicate normal thyroid function, you can stop the medication.

c. Youll need thyroid pills for life because your thyroid wont start working again.

A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a total thyroidectomy and notes the development of stridor. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Reassure the client that the voice change is temporary. b. Document the finding and assess the client hourly. c. Place the client in high-Fowlers position and apply oxygen. d. Contact the provider and prepare for intubation.

d. Contact the provider and prepare for intubation.

A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism. Which assessment finding should alert the nurse that the medication therapy is effective? a. Thirst is recognized and fluid intake is appropriate. b. Weight has been the same for 3 weeks. c. Total white blood cell count is 6000 cells/mm3. d. Heart rate is 70 beats/min and regular.

d. Heart rate is 70 beats/min and regular.

A nurse assesses a client on the medical-surgical unit. Which statement made by the client should alert the nurse to the possibility of hypothyroidism? a. My sister has thyroid problems. b. I seem to feel the heat more than other people. c. Food just doesnt taste good without a lot of salt. d. I am always tired, even with 12 hours of sleep.

d. I am always tired, even with 12 hours of sleep.

A nurse prepares to palpate a clients thyroid gland. Which action should the nurse take when performing this assessment? a. Stand in front of the client instead of behind the client. b. Ask the client to swallow after palpating the thyroid. c. Palpate the right lobe with the nurses left hand. d. Place the client in a sitting position with the chin tucked down.

d. Place the client in a sitting position with the chin tucked down.

A nurse cares for a client who is recovering from a parathyroidectomy. When taking the clients blood pressure, the nurse notes that the clients hand has gone into flexion contractions. Which laboratory result does the nurse correlate with this condition? a. Serum potassium: 2.9 mEq/L b. Serum magnesium: 1.7 mEq/L c. Serum sodium: 122 mEq/L d. Serum calcium: 6.9 mg/dL

d. Serum calcium: 6.9 mg/dL

A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed a drug that blocks a hormones receptor site. Which therapeutic effect should the nurse expect? a. Greater hormone metabolism b. Decreased hormone activity c. Increased hormone activity d. Unchanged hormone response

b. Decreased hormone activity

A nurse collaborates with an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to provide care for a client who is prescribed a 24-hour urine specimen collection. Which statement should the nurse include when delegating this activity to the UAP? a. Note the time of the clients first void and collect urine for 24 hours. b. Add the preservative to the container at the end of the test. c. Start the collection by saving the first urine of the morning. d. It is okay if one urine sample during the 24 hours is not collected.

a. Note the time of the clients first void and collect urine for 24 hours.

After teaching a client who is recovering from a complete thyroidectomy, the nurse assesses the clients understanding. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for additional instruction? a. I may need calcium replacement after surgery. b. After surgery, I wont need to take thyroid medication. c. Ill need to take thyroid hormones for the rest of my life. d. I can receive pain medication if I feel that I need it.

b. After surgery, I wont need to take thyroid medication.

A nurse plans care for a client with a growth hormone deficiency. Which action should the nurse include in this clients plan of care? a. Avoid intramuscular medications. b. Place the client in protective isolation. c. Use a lift sheet to re-position the client. d. Assist the client to dangle before rising.

c. Use a lift sheet to re-position the client.

A nurse teaches a client who has been prescribed a 24-hour urine collection to measure excreted hormones. The client asks, Why do I need to collect urine for 24 hours instead of providing a random specimen? How should the nurse respond? a. This test will assess for a hormone secreted on a circadian rhythm. b. The hormone is diluted in urine; therefore, we need a large volume. c. We are assessing when the hormone is secreted in large amounts. d. To collect the correct hormone, you need to urinate multiple times.

a. This test will assess for a hormone secreted on a circadian rhythm.

A nurse is caring for a client who was prescribed high-dose corticosteroid therapy for 1 month to treat a severe inflammatory condition. The clients symptoms have now resolved and the client asks, When can I stop taking these medications? How should the nurse respond? a. It is possible for the inflammation to recur if you stop the medication. b. Once you start corticosteroids, you have to be weaned off them. c. You must decrease the dose slowly so your hormones will work again. d. The drug suppresses your immune system, which must be built back up.

b. Once you start corticosteroids, you have to be weaned off them.

A nurse cares for a client who possibly has syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The clients serum sodium level is 114 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Consult with the dietitian about increased dietary sodium. b. Restrict the clients fluid intake to 600 mL/day. c. Handle the client gently by using turn sheets for re-positioning. d. Instruct unlicensed assistive personnel to measure intake and output.

b. Restrict the clients fluid intake to 600 mL/day.

A nurse assesses clients who have endocrine disorders. Which assessment findings are paired correctly with the endocrine disorder? (Select all that apply.) a. Excessive thyroid-stimulating hormone Increased bone formation b. Excessive melanocyte-stimulating hormone Darkening of the skin c. Excessive parathyroid hormone Synthesis and release of corticosteroids d. Excessive antidiuretic hormone Increased urinary output e. Excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone Increased bone resorption

a. Excessive thyroid-stimulating hormone Increased bone formation b. Excessive melanocyte-stimulating hormone Darkening of the skin