Assessment and Management of
Patients with Endocrine Disorders
Cardiac effects of hyperthyroidism include?
decreased pulse pressure.
decreased systolic blood pressure.
bradycardia.
palpitations. - correct answer-palpitations.
Explanation:
Cardiac effects may include sinus tachycardia, increased pulse pressure, and palpitations.
Systolic blood pressure is elevated.
A client who is postpartum is receiving intravenous oxytocin, and the client asks the nurse
about the function of oxytocin in the body. How should the nurse respond?
"It increases blood calcium by stimulating calcium release from the bone and decreases the
blood phosphate level."
"It stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones."
"It stimulates bone and muscle growth and promotes protein synthesis and fat mobilization."
"It stimulates the contraction of the pregnant uterus before birth and stimulates the release of
breast milk after childbirth." - correct answer-"It stimulates the contraction of the pregnant
uterus before birth and stimulates the release of breast milk after childbirth."
Explanation:
The nurse should inform the client that oxytocin's function in the body is to stimulate the
contraction of the pregnant uterus before birth and to stimulate the release of breast milk
after childbirth. Somatotropin stimulates bone and muscle growth and promotes protein
synthesis and fat mobilization. Thyroid-stimulating hormone causes production and secretion
of thyroid hormones. Parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium by stimulating calcium
release from the bone and decreases the blood phosphate level.
Which is a clinical manifestation of diabetes insipidus?
Low urine output
Excessive thirst
Weight gain
Excessive activities - correct answer-Excessive thirst
Explanation:
Urine output may be as high as 20 L in 24 hours. Thirst is excessive and constant. Activities
are limited by the frequent need to drink and void. Weight loss develops.
Which diagnostic test is done to determine suspected pituitary tumor?
computed tomography scan
measurement of blood hormone levels
,radioimmunoassay
radiographs of the abdomen - correct answer-computed tomography scan
Explanation:
A computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan is done to detect a suspected
pituitary tumor. Radiographs of the chest or abdomen are taken to detect tumors.
Radiographs also determine the size of the organ and their location. Measuring blood
hormone levels helps determine the functioning of endocrine glands. A radioimmunoassay
determines the concentration of a substance in plasma.
A client with severe hypoparathyroidism is experiencing tetany. What medication, prescribed
by the physician for emergency use, will the nurse administer to correct the deficit?
Sodium bicarbonate
Fludrocortisone
Calcium gluconate
Methylprednisolone - correct answer-Calcium gluconate
Explanation:
Tetany and severe hypoparathyroidism are treated immediately by the administration of an
IV calcium salt, such as calcium gluconate. The other medications are not effective for the
treatment of calcium deficit.
A client is being seen in the clinic to receive the results of the lab work to determine thyroid
levels. The nurse observes the client's eyes appear to be bulging, and there is swelling
around the eyes. What does the nurse know that the correct documentation of this finding
is?
Retinal detachment
Periorbital swelling
Bulging eyes
Exophthalmos - correct answer-Exophthalmos
Explanation:
Exophthalmos is an abnormal bulging or protrusion of the eyes and periorbital swelling.
These findings are not consistent with retinal detachment.
Which of the following would the nurse expect to find in a client with severe hyperthyroidism?
Tetany
Exophthalmos
Buffalo hump
Striae - correct answer-Exophthalmos
Explanation:
Exophthalmos that results from enlarged muscle and fatty tissue surrounding the rear and
sides of the eyeball is seen in clients with severe hyperthyroidism. Tetany is the symptom of
acute and sudden hypoparathyroidism. Buffalo hump and striae are the symptoms of
Cushing's syndrome.
A client has a decreased level of thyroid hormone being excreted. What will the feedback
loop do to maintain the level of thyroid hormone required to maintain homeostatic stability?
, Stimulate more hormones using the negative feedback system
Stimulate more hormones using the positive feedback system
Produce a new hormone to try and regulate the thyroid function
Be unable to perform in response to low levels of thyroid hormone. - correct
answer-Stimulate more hormones using the negative feedback system
Explanation:
Feedback can be either negative or positive. Most hormones are secreted in response to
negative feedback; a decrease in levels stimulates the releasing gland.
When preparing teaching plan for a client with an endocrine disorder, the nurse includes
information about hormone regulation. Which of the following would the nurse include?
The gland becomes enlarged leading to a deficiency of the hormone.
Most disorders result from over- or underproduction of the hormone.
The gland slows hormone secretion when the hormone level decreases.
Hormone secretion occurs as a straight-line continuous process. - correct answer-Most
disorders result from over- or underproduction of the hormone.
Explanation:
Most endocrine disorders result from an overproduction or underproduction of specific
hormones. A negative feedback loop controls hormone levels, such that a decrease in levels
stimulates the releasing gland. Glandular enlargement is not involved with hormonal
regulation.
For a client with hyperthyroidism, treatment is most likely to include:
a thyroid hormone antagonist.
thyroid extract.
a synthetic thyroid hormone.
emollient lotions. - correct answer-a thyroid hormone antagonist.
Explanation:
Thyroid hormone antagonists, which block thyroid hormone synthesis, combat increased
production of thyroid hormone. Treatment of hyperthyroidism also may include radioiodine
therapy, which destroys some thyroid gland cells, and surgery to remove part of the thyroid
gland; both treatments decrease thyroid hormone production. Thyroid extract, synthetic
thyroid hormone, and emollient lotions are used to treat hypothyroidism.
For the first 72 hours after thyroidectomy surgery, a nurse should assess a client for
Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign because they indicate:
hypocalcemia.
hypercalcemia.
hypokalemia.
hyperkalemia. - correct answer-hypocalcemia.
Explanation:
A client who has undergone a thyroidectomy is at risk for developing hypocalcemia from
inadvertent removal of or damage to the parathyroid gland. The client with hypocalcemia will
exhibit a positive Chvostek's sign (facial muscle contraction when the facial nerve in front of
Patients with Endocrine Disorders
Cardiac effects of hyperthyroidism include?
decreased pulse pressure.
decreased systolic blood pressure.
bradycardia.
palpitations. - correct answer-palpitations.
Explanation:
Cardiac effects may include sinus tachycardia, increased pulse pressure, and palpitations.
Systolic blood pressure is elevated.
A client who is postpartum is receiving intravenous oxytocin, and the client asks the nurse
about the function of oxytocin in the body. How should the nurse respond?
"It increases blood calcium by stimulating calcium release from the bone and decreases the
blood phosphate level."
"It stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones."
"It stimulates bone and muscle growth and promotes protein synthesis and fat mobilization."
"It stimulates the contraction of the pregnant uterus before birth and stimulates the release of
breast milk after childbirth." - correct answer-"It stimulates the contraction of the pregnant
uterus before birth and stimulates the release of breast milk after childbirth."
Explanation:
The nurse should inform the client that oxytocin's function in the body is to stimulate the
contraction of the pregnant uterus before birth and to stimulate the release of breast milk
after childbirth. Somatotropin stimulates bone and muscle growth and promotes protein
synthesis and fat mobilization. Thyroid-stimulating hormone causes production and secretion
of thyroid hormones. Parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium by stimulating calcium
release from the bone and decreases the blood phosphate level.
Which is a clinical manifestation of diabetes insipidus?
Low urine output
Excessive thirst
Weight gain
Excessive activities - correct answer-Excessive thirst
Explanation:
Urine output may be as high as 20 L in 24 hours. Thirst is excessive and constant. Activities
are limited by the frequent need to drink and void. Weight loss develops.
Which diagnostic test is done to determine suspected pituitary tumor?
computed tomography scan
measurement of blood hormone levels
,radioimmunoassay
radiographs of the abdomen - correct answer-computed tomography scan
Explanation:
A computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan is done to detect a suspected
pituitary tumor. Radiographs of the chest or abdomen are taken to detect tumors.
Radiographs also determine the size of the organ and their location. Measuring blood
hormone levels helps determine the functioning of endocrine glands. A radioimmunoassay
determines the concentration of a substance in plasma.
A client with severe hypoparathyroidism is experiencing tetany. What medication, prescribed
by the physician for emergency use, will the nurse administer to correct the deficit?
Sodium bicarbonate
Fludrocortisone
Calcium gluconate
Methylprednisolone - correct answer-Calcium gluconate
Explanation:
Tetany and severe hypoparathyroidism are treated immediately by the administration of an
IV calcium salt, such as calcium gluconate. The other medications are not effective for the
treatment of calcium deficit.
A client is being seen in the clinic to receive the results of the lab work to determine thyroid
levels. The nurse observes the client's eyes appear to be bulging, and there is swelling
around the eyes. What does the nurse know that the correct documentation of this finding
is?
Retinal detachment
Periorbital swelling
Bulging eyes
Exophthalmos - correct answer-Exophthalmos
Explanation:
Exophthalmos is an abnormal bulging or protrusion of the eyes and periorbital swelling.
These findings are not consistent with retinal detachment.
Which of the following would the nurse expect to find in a client with severe hyperthyroidism?
Tetany
Exophthalmos
Buffalo hump
Striae - correct answer-Exophthalmos
Explanation:
Exophthalmos that results from enlarged muscle and fatty tissue surrounding the rear and
sides of the eyeball is seen in clients with severe hyperthyroidism. Tetany is the symptom of
acute and sudden hypoparathyroidism. Buffalo hump and striae are the symptoms of
Cushing's syndrome.
A client has a decreased level of thyroid hormone being excreted. What will the feedback
loop do to maintain the level of thyroid hormone required to maintain homeostatic stability?
, Stimulate more hormones using the negative feedback system
Stimulate more hormones using the positive feedback system
Produce a new hormone to try and regulate the thyroid function
Be unable to perform in response to low levels of thyroid hormone. - correct
answer-Stimulate more hormones using the negative feedback system
Explanation:
Feedback can be either negative or positive. Most hormones are secreted in response to
negative feedback; a decrease in levels stimulates the releasing gland.
When preparing teaching plan for a client with an endocrine disorder, the nurse includes
information about hormone regulation. Which of the following would the nurse include?
The gland becomes enlarged leading to a deficiency of the hormone.
Most disorders result from over- or underproduction of the hormone.
The gland slows hormone secretion when the hormone level decreases.
Hormone secretion occurs as a straight-line continuous process. - correct answer-Most
disorders result from over- or underproduction of the hormone.
Explanation:
Most endocrine disorders result from an overproduction or underproduction of specific
hormones. A negative feedback loop controls hormone levels, such that a decrease in levels
stimulates the releasing gland. Glandular enlargement is not involved with hormonal
regulation.
For a client with hyperthyroidism, treatment is most likely to include:
a thyroid hormone antagonist.
thyroid extract.
a synthetic thyroid hormone.
emollient lotions. - correct answer-a thyroid hormone antagonist.
Explanation:
Thyroid hormone antagonists, which block thyroid hormone synthesis, combat increased
production of thyroid hormone. Treatment of hyperthyroidism also may include radioiodine
therapy, which destroys some thyroid gland cells, and surgery to remove part of the thyroid
gland; both treatments decrease thyroid hormone production. Thyroid extract, synthetic
thyroid hormone, and emollient lotions are used to treat hypothyroidism.
For the first 72 hours after thyroidectomy surgery, a nurse should assess a client for
Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign because they indicate:
hypocalcemia.
hypercalcemia.
hypokalemia.
hyperkalemia. - correct answer-hypocalcemia.
Explanation:
A client who has undergone a thyroidectomy is at risk for developing hypocalcemia from
inadvertent removal of or damage to the parathyroid gland. The client with hypocalcemia will
exhibit a positive Chvostek's sign (facial muscle contraction when the facial nerve in front of
