1|Page
NURS 5461 Final Exam (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Adult Gerontology | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Graded A
What are the two main thyroid hormones ......ANSWER......T3
(triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)
What is the major carrier protein of thyroid hormones
......ANSWER......Thyroxine Binding Globulin
In clinical practice what are the two main labs that we test for thyroid
function? ......ANSWER......Free T4 and TSH
Action of thyroid hormones? ......ANSWER......Growth and development
Regulates basal metabolic rate
Affects carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
Regulates central nervous system and skeletal development in utero
Controls cellular metabolism and oxygen consumption
Primary, secondary, and tertiary thyroid dysfunction?
......ANSWER......Primary thyroid dysfunction occurs at the gland
Secondary thyroid dysfunction occurs at the pituitary
pg. 1
,2|Page
Tertiary thyroid dysfunction occurs at the hypothalamus
What are Signs/Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Depression, Hypersomnia, Fatigue, Forgetfulness,
Inability to concentrate, Mental retardation, Cold intolerance, weight
gain, Puffy eyes, Enlarged tongue, Hearing impairment, Deepening of
voice Sore throat, Goiter
What are Signs/Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism ......ANSWER......-Heat
intolerance, increased sweating
-Weight loss
-Agitation, nervousness, irritability, anxiety
-Palpitations & tachycardia
-Fatigue, muscle weakness
-Frequent bowel movements, diarrhea
-Insomnia
-Tremor
-Thinning hair
-Goiter (possible)
-Exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs), diplopia
-Light or absent menstrual periods
What population is more likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Women, 2-8x greater than men
pg. 2
,3|Page
Subclinical Hypothyroidism is what? ......ANSWER......a normal free T4
and an elevated TSH
When should Diagnostic thyroid tests be taken?
......ANSWER......Patients should have a baseline screen for thyroid
disease between the ages of 35-40 years
People at risk should be screened more frequently—pregnant, women
>60 years, those with other autoimmune disease
Women with infertility should be screened, as should the postpartum
woman with vague symptoms
Those with abnormal thyroid function or prior history of medically or
surgically treated thyroid disease, should be screened yearly
Those with autoimmune disease, depression, cognitive dysfunction,
prior XRT to the head or neck, previous radioablation of the thyroid,
cholesterol abnormalities, use of Amiodarone, Lithium, family history
of thyroid disease should have a TSH
What is the most valuable lab in a diagnosis of thyroid disease?
......ANSWER......TSH
What is the normal lab range for TSH ......ANSWER......0.5-5 mIU/L
What is the normal lab range for free T4 ......ANSWER......0.7-1.7 ng/dL
pg. 3
, 4|Page
What is the laboratory presentation of Hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Elevated TSH
Decreased Free T4
What meds might affect thyroid function tests?
......ANSWER......Metoclopramide—increases TSH
Dopamine, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, Somatostatin— decreases TSH
Dilantin, Amiodarone and Lithium are known to affect TFTs
Nicotine can also affect TFTs
Hypothyroidism might cause a lipid panel to what?
......ANSWER......hypothyroidism reduces cholesterol catabolism, lipid
panel will be increased
What is the drug of choice for hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Levothyroxine (T4)
How often should you reevaluate TSH levels after starting therapy
......ANSWER......Reevaluation with a serum TSH need not be
performed at intervals less than 6-8 weeks
What does hypothyroid management look like in a pregnant patient?
......ANSWER......Pregnancy causes an increased need of the dose—
usually HCP will increase the Levothyroxine dose by 30% as soon as
pregnancy is confirmed
pg. 4
NURS 5461 Final Exam (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Adult Gerontology | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Graded A
What are the two main thyroid hormones ......ANSWER......T3
(triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)
What is the major carrier protein of thyroid hormones
......ANSWER......Thyroxine Binding Globulin
In clinical practice what are the two main labs that we test for thyroid
function? ......ANSWER......Free T4 and TSH
Action of thyroid hormones? ......ANSWER......Growth and development
Regulates basal metabolic rate
Affects carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
Regulates central nervous system and skeletal development in utero
Controls cellular metabolism and oxygen consumption
Primary, secondary, and tertiary thyroid dysfunction?
......ANSWER......Primary thyroid dysfunction occurs at the gland
Secondary thyroid dysfunction occurs at the pituitary
pg. 1
,2|Page
Tertiary thyroid dysfunction occurs at the hypothalamus
What are Signs/Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Depression, Hypersomnia, Fatigue, Forgetfulness,
Inability to concentrate, Mental retardation, Cold intolerance, weight
gain, Puffy eyes, Enlarged tongue, Hearing impairment, Deepening of
voice Sore throat, Goiter
What are Signs/Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism ......ANSWER......-Heat
intolerance, increased sweating
-Weight loss
-Agitation, nervousness, irritability, anxiety
-Palpitations & tachycardia
-Fatigue, muscle weakness
-Frequent bowel movements, diarrhea
-Insomnia
-Tremor
-Thinning hair
-Goiter (possible)
-Exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs), diplopia
-Light or absent menstrual periods
What population is more likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Women, 2-8x greater than men
pg. 2
,3|Page
Subclinical Hypothyroidism is what? ......ANSWER......a normal free T4
and an elevated TSH
When should Diagnostic thyroid tests be taken?
......ANSWER......Patients should have a baseline screen for thyroid
disease between the ages of 35-40 years
People at risk should be screened more frequently—pregnant, women
>60 years, those with other autoimmune disease
Women with infertility should be screened, as should the postpartum
woman with vague symptoms
Those with abnormal thyroid function or prior history of medically or
surgically treated thyroid disease, should be screened yearly
Those with autoimmune disease, depression, cognitive dysfunction,
prior XRT to the head or neck, previous radioablation of the thyroid,
cholesterol abnormalities, use of Amiodarone, Lithium, family history
of thyroid disease should have a TSH
What is the most valuable lab in a diagnosis of thyroid disease?
......ANSWER......TSH
What is the normal lab range for TSH ......ANSWER......0.5-5 mIU/L
What is the normal lab range for free T4 ......ANSWER......0.7-1.7 ng/dL
pg. 3
, 4|Page
What is the laboratory presentation of Hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Elevated TSH
Decreased Free T4
What meds might affect thyroid function tests?
......ANSWER......Metoclopramide—increases TSH
Dopamine, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, Somatostatin— decreases TSH
Dilantin, Amiodarone and Lithium are known to affect TFTs
Nicotine can also affect TFTs
Hypothyroidism might cause a lipid panel to what?
......ANSWER......hypothyroidism reduces cholesterol catabolism, lipid
panel will be increased
What is the drug of choice for hypothyroidism
......ANSWER......Levothyroxine (T4)
How often should you reevaluate TSH levels after starting therapy
......ANSWER......Reevaluation with a serum TSH need not be
performed at intervals less than 6-8 weeks
What does hypothyroid management look like in a pregnant patient?
......ANSWER......Pregnancy causes an increased need of the dose—
usually HCP will increase the Levothyroxine dose by 30% as soon as
pregnancy is confirmed
pg. 4
