Comprehensive Nursing Assessment and Management of Endocrine Disorders: Laboratory Interpretation, Hormonal Imbalances, Patient Education, Risk Assessment, Stress and Lifestyle Considerations, Acute and Chronic Care Planning, Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyro

Comprehensive Nursing Assessment and Management of Endocrine Disorders: Laboratory Interpretation, Hormonal Imbalances, Patient Education, Risk Assessment, Stress and Lifestyle Considerations, Acute and Chronic Care Planning, Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, and Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Interventions Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 A young adult patient is being seen in the clinic with increased secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones. The nurse would expect the laboratory test results to show a. increased urinary cortisol. c. elevated serum aldosterone levels. b. decreased serum thyroxine. c. elevated serum aldosterone levels. d. low urinary catecholamines excretion. ANS: A Increased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the anterior pituitary gland will lead to an increase in serum and urinary cortisol levels. An increase, rather than a decrease, in thyroxine level would be expected with increased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by the anterior pituitary. Aldosterone and catecholamine levels are not controlled by the anterior pituitary. Which statement by a 50-yr-old female patient indicates to the nurse that further assessment of thyroid function may be necessary? a. "I notice my breasts are tender lately." b. "I am so thirsty that I drink all day long." c. "I get up several times at night to urinate." d. "I feel a lump in my throat when I swallow." ANS: D Difficulty in swallowing can occur with a goiter. Nocturia is associated with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, or chronic kidney disease. Breast tenderness would occur with excessive gonadal hormone levels. Thirst is a sign of disease such as diabetes. A 61-yr-old female patient admitted with pneumonia has a total serum calcium level of 13.3 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L). The nurse will anticipate the need to teach the patient about testing for _____ levels. a. calcitonin b. catecholamine c. thyroid hormone d. parathyroid hormone ANS: D Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the major controller of blood calcium levels. Although calcitonin secretion is a countermechanism to PTH, it does not play a major role in calcium balance. Catecholamine and thyroid hormone levels do not affect serum calcium level. Which laboratory value should the nurse review to determine whether a patient's hypothyroidism is caused by a problem with the anterior pituitary gland or with the thyroid gland? a. Thyroxine (T4) level b. Triiodothyronine (T3) level c. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level d. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) level ANS: C A low TSH level indicates that the patient's hypothyroidism is caused by decreased anterior pituitary secretion of TSH. Low T3and T4 levels are not diagnostic of the primary cause of the hypothyroidism. TRH levels indicate the function of the hypothalamus. A patient is taking spironolactone (Aldactone), a drug that blocks the action of aldosterone on the kidney, for hypertension. The nurse will monitor for a. increased serum sodium. b. decreased urinary output. c. elevated serum potassium. d. evidence of fluid overload. ANS: C Because aldosterone increases the excretion of potassium, a medication that blocks aldosterone will tend to cause hyperkalemia. Aldosterone also promotes the reabsorption of sodium and water in the renal tubules, so spironolactone will tend to cause increased urine output, a decreased or normal serum sodium level, and signs of dehydration. A patient has been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which information about the patient will be most useful to the nurse who is helping the patient develop strategies for successful adaptation to this disease? a. Ideal weight b. Value system c. Activity level