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Chapter 49: Endocrine Problems
Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A 40-yr-old patient with suspected acromegaly is seen at the clinic. To assist in making the
diagnosis, which question should the nurse ask?
a. “Have you had a recent head injury?”
b. “Do you have to wear larger shoes now?”
c. “Is there a family history of acromegaly?”
d. “Are you experiencing tremors or anxiety?”
ANS: B
Acromegaly causes an enlargement of the hands and feet. Head injury and family history are
not risk factors for acromegaly. Tremors and anxiety are not clinical manifestations of
acromegaly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1157
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient is scheduled for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy to treat a pituitary adenoma.
During preoperative teaching, the nurse instructs the patient about the need to
a.cough and deep breathe every 2 hours postoperatively.
b.remain on bed rest for the first 48 hours after the surgery.
c.avoid brushing teeth for at least 10 days after the surgery.
d.be positioned flat with sandbags at the head postoperatively.
ANS: C
To avoid disruption of the suture line, the patient should avoid brushing the teeth for 10 days
after surgery. It is not necessary to remain on bed rest after this surgery. Coughing is
discouraged because it may cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the suture line.
The head of the bed should be elevated 30 degrees to reduce pressure on the sella turcica and
decrease the risk for headaches.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1159
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. The nurse is planning postoperative care for a patient who is being admitted to the surgical
unit from the recovery room after transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary tumor. Which
nursing action should be included?
a. Palpate extremities for edema.
b. Measure urine volume every hour.
c. Check hematocrit every 2 hours for 8 hours.
d. Monitor continuous pulse oximetry for 24 hours.
ANS: B
, After pituitary surgery, the patient is at risk for diabetes insipidus caused by cerebral edema.
Monitoring of urine output and urine specific gravity is essential. Hemorrhage is not a
common problem. There is no need to check the hematocrit hourly. The patient is at risk for
dehydration, not volume overload. The patient is not at high risk for problems with
oxygenation, and continuous pulse oximetry is not needed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1159
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
4. The nurse is assessing a male patient diagnosed with a pituitary tumor causing
panhypopituitarism. Assessment findings consistent with panhypopituitarism include
a. high blood pressure. c. elevated blood glucose.
b. decreased facial hair. d. tachycardia and palpitations.
ANS: B
Changes in male secondary sex characteristics such as decreased facial hair, testicular atrophy,
diminished spermatogenesis, loss of libido, impotence, and decreased muscle mass are
associated with decreases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone
(LH). Fasting hypoglycemia and hypotension occur in panhypopituitarism as a result of
decreases in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. Bradycardia is likely due to
the decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones associated with
panhypopituitarism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1158
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. Which information will the nurse include when teaching a 50-yr-old male patient about
somatropin (Genotropin)?
a. The medication will be needed for 3 to 6 months.
b. Inject the medication subcutaneously every day.
c. Blood glucose levels may decrease when taking the medication.
d. Stop taking the medication if swelling of the hands or feet occurs.
ANS: B
Somatropin is injected subcutaneously on a daily basis, preferably in the evening. The patient
will need to continue on somatropin for life. If swelling or other common adverse effects
occur, the health care provider should be notified. Growth hormone will increase blood
glucose levels.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1158
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. The nurse determines that demeclocycline is effective for a patient with syndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) based on finding that the patient’s
a. weight has increased. c. peripheral edema is increased.
b. urinary output is increased. d. urine specific gravity is increased.
ANS: B
Demeclocycline blocks the action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on the renal tubules and
increases urine output. An increase in weight or an increase in urine specific gravity indicates
that the SIADH is not corrected. Peripheral edema does not occur with SIADH. A sudden
weight gain without edema is a common clinical manifestation of this disorder.
Chapter 49: Endocrine Problems
Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A 40-yr-old patient with suspected acromegaly is seen at the clinic. To assist in making the
diagnosis, which question should the nurse ask?
a. “Have you had a recent head injury?”
b. “Do you have to wear larger shoes now?”
c. “Is there a family history of acromegaly?”
d. “Are you experiencing tremors or anxiety?”
ANS: B
Acromegaly causes an enlargement of the hands and feet. Head injury and family history are
not risk factors for acromegaly. Tremors and anxiety are not clinical manifestations of
acromegaly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1157
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient is scheduled for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy to treat a pituitary adenoma.
During preoperative teaching, the nurse instructs the patient about the need to
a.cough and deep breathe every 2 hours postoperatively.
b.remain on bed rest for the first 48 hours after the surgery.
c.avoid brushing teeth for at least 10 days after the surgery.
d.be positioned flat with sandbags at the head postoperatively.
ANS: C
To avoid disruption of the suture line, the patient should avoid brushing the teeth for 10 days
after surgery. It is not necessary to remain on bed rest after this surgery. Coughing is
discouraged because it may cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the suture line.
The head of the bed should be elevated 30 degrees to reduce pressure on the sella turcica and
decrease the risk for headaches.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1159
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. The nurse is planning postoperative care for a patient who is being admitted to the surgical
unit from the recovery room after transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary tumor. Which
nursing action should be included?
a. Palpate extremities for edema.
b. Measure urine volume every hour.
c. Check hematocrit every 2 hours for 8 hours.
d. Monitor continuous pulse oximetry for 24 hours.
ANS: B
, After pituitary surgery, the patient is at risk for diabetes insipidus caused by cerebral edema.
Monitoring of urine output and urine specific gravity is essential. Hemorrhage is not a
common problem. There is no need to check the hematocrit hourly. The patient is at risk for
dehydration, not volume overload. The patient is not at high risk for problems with
oxygenation, and continuous pulse oximetry is not needed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1159
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
4. The nurse is assessing a male patient diagnosed with a pituitary tumor causing
panhypopituitarism. Assessment findings consistent with panhypopituitarism include
a. high blood pressure. c. elevated blood glucose.
b. decreased facial hair. d. tachycardia and palpitations.
ANS: B
Changes in male secondary sex characteristics such as decreased facial hair, testicular atrophy,
diminished spermatogenesis, loss of libido, impotence, and decreased muscle mass are
associated with decreases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone
(LH). Fasting hypoglycemia and hypotension occur in panhypopituitarism as a result of
decreases in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. Bradycardia is likely due to
the decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones associated with
panhypopituitarism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1158
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. Which information will the nurse include when teaching a 50-yr-old male patient about
somatropin (Genotropin)?
a. The medication will be needed for 3 to 6 months.
b. Inject the medication subcutaneously every day.
c. Blood glucose levels may decrease when taking the medication.
d. Stop taking the medication if swelling of the hands or feet occurs.
ANS: B
Somatropin is injected subcutaneously on a daily basis, preferably in the evening. The patient
will need to continue on somatropin for life. If swelling or other common adverse effects
occur, the health care provider should be notified. Growth hormone will increase blood
glucose levels.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1158
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. The nurse determines that demeclocycline is effective for a patient with syndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) based on finding that the patient’s
a. weight has increased. c. peripheral edema is increased.
b. urinary output is increased. d. urine specific gravity is increased.
ANS: B
Demeclocycline blocks the action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on the renal tubules and
increases urine output. An increase in weight or an increase in urine specific gravity indicates
that the SIADH is not corrected. Peripheral edema does not occur with SIADH. A sudden
weight gain without edema is a common clinical manifestation of this disorder.
