NR 340 CRITICAL CARE NURSING
Endocrine Concepts
Latest Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus is admitted to the
ICU for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following is the initial
insulin therapy of choice?
A. Insulin glargine
B. NPH insulin
C. Regular insulin infusion
D. Insulin aspart
Answer: C. Regular insulin infusion
Rationale: Regular insulin infusion is preferred for the initial
management of DKA because it can be closely titrated and has a rapid
onset of action.
2. A 42-year-old patient presents with fatigue, weight gain, and
constipation. Laboratory tests reveal low serum T3 and T4 levels. Which
of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Thyroid storm
D. Graves' disease
Answer: B. Hypothyroidism
Rationale: The symptoms and low thyroid hormone levels are indicative
of hypothyroidism, a common endocrine disorder.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison's disease. Which of the
following interventions is critical when this patient experiences stress?
A. Decrease corticosteroid dose
B. Increase corticosteroid dose
C. Administer rapid-acting insulin
D. Provide high-carbohydrate meals
Answer: B. Increase corticosteroid dose
Rationale: Patients with Addison's disease require increased doses of
corticosteroids during periods of stress to mimic the body's normal
response and prevent Addisonian crisis.
4. During the assessment of a patient with pheochromocytoma, which of
the following symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
A. Hypotension
, B. Bradycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypertension
Answer: D. Hypertension
Rationale: Pheochromocytoma is characterized by hypertension due to
excessive catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla.
5. A patient with acromegaly is scheduled for a transsphenoidal
hypophysectomy. Postoperatively, which of the following is a priority
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Monitor for signs of diabetes insipidus
C. Administer growth hormone replacement
D. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: B. Monitor for signs of diabetes insipidus
Rationale: Following hypophysectomy, patients are at risk for diabetes
insipidus due to potential damage to the pituitary gland, which can disrupt
ADH production.
6. A nurse is educating a patient with hyperparathyroidism about dietary
management. Which of the following foods should the patient be advised
to limit?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Whole grains
D. Lean meats
Answer: B. Dairy products
Rationale: Dairy products are high in calcium, and limiting their intake
can help manage the hypercalcemia associated with hyperparathyroidism.
7. A patient with Cushing's syndrome is undergoing treatment. Which of
the following clinical manifestations would indicate an improvement in
the patient's condition?
A. Weight gain
B. Moon face
C. Decreased abdominal girth
D. Striae
Answer: C. Decreased abdominal girth
Endocrine Concepts
Latest Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus is admitted to the
ICU for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following is the initial
insulin therapy of choice?
A. Insulin glargine
B. NPH insulin
C. Regular insulin infusion
D. Insulin aspart
Answer: C. Regular insulin infusion
Rationale: Regular insulin infusion is preferred for the initial
management of DKA because it can be closely titrated and has a rapid
onset of action.
2. A 42-year-old patient presents with fatigue, weight gain, and
constipation. Laboratory tests reveal low serum T3 and T4 levels. Which
of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Thyroid storm
D. Graves' disease
Answer: B. Hypothyroidism
Rationale: The symptoms and low thyroid hormone levels are indicative
of hypothyroidism, a common endocrine disorder.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison's disease. Which of the
following interventions is critical when this patient experiences stress?
A. Decrease corticosteroid dose
B. Increase corticosteroid dose
C. Administer rapid-acting insulin
D. Provide high-carbohydrate meals
Answer: B. Increase corticosteroid dose
Rationale: Patients with Addison's disease require increased doses of
corticosteroids during periods of stress to mimic the body's normal
response and prevent Addisonian crisis.
4. During the assessment of a patient with pheochromocytoma, which of
the following symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
A. Hypotension
, B. Bradycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypertension
Answer: D. Hypertension
Rationale: Pheochromocytoma is characterized by hypertension due to
excessive catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla.
5. A patient with acromegaly is scheduled for a transsphenoidal
hypophysectomy. Postoperatively, which of the following is a priority
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Monitor for signs of diabetes insipidus
C. Administer growth hormone replacement
D. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: B. Monitor for signs of diabetes insipidus
Rationale: Following hypophysectomy, patients are at risk for diabetes
insipidus due to potential damage to the pituitary gland, which can disrupt
ADH production.
6. A nurse is educating a patient with hyperparathyroidism about dietary
management. Which of the following foods should the patient be advised
to limit?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Whole grains
D. Lean meats
Answer: B. Dairy products
Rationale: Dairy products are high in calcium, and limiting their intake
can help manage the hypercalcemia associated with hyperparathyroidism.
7. A patient with Cushing's syndrome is undergoing treatment. Which of
the following clinical manifestations would indicate an improvement in
the patient's condition?
A. Weight gain
B. Moon face
C. Decreased abdominal girth
D. Striae
Answer: C. Decreased abdominal girth
