ENDOCRINE SYSTEM MED SURG EXAM 50 EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS GRADE A ASSURED 2024
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Addison disease. Which information should
the nurse include in a teaching plan to encourage this client to modify dietary intake?:
Extra salt is needed to replace the amount being lost caused by lack of sufficient
aldosterone to conserve sodium.
Lack of mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) leads to loss of sodium ions in the urine and
subsequent hyponatremia. Potassium intake is not encouraged; hyperkalemia is a
problem because of insufficient mineralocorticoids. Increasing protein is needed to heal
the adrenal tissue and thus cure the disease caused by idiopathic atrophy of the adrenal
cortex; tissue repair of the gland is not possible. Vitamins are not directly energy-
producing; nor will they help the client gain weight.
2. Which gland does the nurse state is an exocrine gland?: Exocrine glands are
glands with ducts that produce enzymes but not hormones. These glands secrete
enzymes into ducts. The salivary gland secreting saliva is an example of an exocrine
gland. Endocrine glands are ductless glands that produce hormones that are secreted
into the blood. Thyroid, pituitary, and parathyroid glands are examples of endocrine
glands.
3. A client is admitted with a head injury. The nurse identifies that the client's
urinary catheter is draining large amounts of clear, colorless urine. What does the
nurse identify as the most likely cause?: Deficient ADH from the posterior pituitary
results in diabetes insipidus. This can be caused by head trauma; water is not conserved
by the body, and excess amounts of urine are produced. Although increased serum
glucose may cause polyuria, it is associated with diabetes mellitus, not diabetes
insipidus. Ineffective renal perfusion will cause decreased urine production. While
excess amounts of IV fluids may cause dilute urine, it is unlikely that a client with head
trauma will be receiving excess fluid because of the danger of increased intracranial
pressure.
4. Which hormonal deficiency would increase the client's risk for fractures?:
Growth hormone deficiency causes decrease in bone density, thereby increasing the risk
of fractures. Follicle-stimulating hormone deficiency causes amenorrhea, decreased
libido, and infertility in women and impotence in men. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
deficiency causes menstrual abnormalities and hirsutism. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
deficiency causes hypoglycemia and hyponatremia.
1/9
, 5. When preparing a client for discharge after a thyroidectomy, the nurse teaches
the signs of hypothyroidism. When teaching when to call the primary healthcare
provider, what statement made by the client shows that teaching was effective?
1 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for dry hair and an intolerance to
cold."
2 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for muscle cramping and
sluggishness."
3 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for fatigue and an increased pulse
rate."
4 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for tachycardia and an increase in
weight.": Dry, sparse hair and cold intolerance are characteristic responses to low
serum thyroxine. Muscle cramping is associated with hypocalcemia. Low thyroxine
levels reduce the metabolic rate, resulting in fatigue, but do not increase the pulse rate.
Low thyroxine levels reduce the metabolic rate, resulting in weight gain and
bradycardia, not tachycardia.
6. Which drug would be effective for the treatment of pituitary Cushing's syndrome?
1 Mitotane
2 Cabergoline
3 Cyproheptadine
4 Bromocriptine mesylate: Cyproheptadine is effective for the treatment of pituitary
Cushing's syndrome. Mitotane is prescribed for the treatment of adrenal Cushing's
syndrome. Cabergoline and bromocriptine mesylate are effective for the treatment of
hyperpituitarism.
7. Which adverse effect can be seen in a female client with gonadotropin
deficiency and undergoing hormone replacement therapy?: A female client with
gonadotropin deficiency is treated by replacement therapy of combined hormones,
namely estrogen and progesterone. The side effect of this therapy is the increased risk
of thrombosis or formation of blood clots in deep veins. Hypertension is a side effect of
estrogen-progesterone therapy. Dehydration and increased thirst could indicate
vasopressin deficiency.
8. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of chronic adrenal insufficiency. Which
roommate should be avoided when assigning a room for this client?
1 A young adult client with pneumonia
2 An adolescent client with a fractured leg
3 An older adult client who had a brain attack
2/9
WITH DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS GRADE A ASSURED 2024
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Addison disease. Which information should
the nurse include in a teaching plan to encourage this client to modify dietary intake?:
Extra salt is needed to replace the amount being lost caused by lack of sufficient
aldosterone to conserve sodium.
Lack of mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) leads to loss of sodium ions in the urine and
subsequent hyponatremia. Potassium intake is not encouraged; hyperkalemia is a
problem because of insufficient mineralocorticoids. Increasing protein is needed to heal
the adrenal tissue and thus cure the disease caused by idiopathic atrophy of the adrenal
cortex; tissue repair of the gland is not possible. Vitamins are not directly energy-
producing; nor will they help the client gain weight.
2. Which gland does the nurse state is an exocrine gland?: Exocrine glands are
glands with ducts that produce enzymes but not hormones. These glands secrete
enzymes into ducts. The salivary gland secreting saliva is an example of an exocrine
gland. Endocrine glands are ductless glands that produce hormones that are secreted
into the blood. Thyroid, pituitary, and parathyroid glands are examples of endocrine
glands.
3. A client is admitted with a head injury. The nurse identifies that the client's
urinary catheter is draining large amounts of clear, colorless urine. What does the
nurse identify as the most likely cause?: Deficient ADH from the posterior pituitary
results in diabetes insipidus. This can be caused by head trauma; water is not conserved
by the body, and excess amounts of urine are produced. Although increased serum
glucose may cause polyuria, it is associated with diabetes mellitus, not diabetes
insipidus. Ineffective renal perfusion will cause decreased urine production. While
excess amounts of IV fluids may cause dilute urine, it is unlikely that a client with head
trauma will be receiving excess fluid because of the danger of increased intracranial
pressure.
4. Which hormonal deficiency would increase the client's risk for fractures?:
Growth hormone deficiency causes decrease in bone density, thereby increasing the risk
of fractures. Follicle-stimulating hormone deficiency causes amenorrhea, decreased
libido, and infertility in women and impotence in men. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
deficiency causes menstrual abnormalities and hirsutism. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
deficiency causes hypoglycemia and hyponatremia.
1/9
, 5. When preparing a client for discharge after a thyroidectomy, the nurse teaches
the signs of hypothyroidism. When teaching when to call the primary healthcare
provider, what statement made by the client shows that teaching was effective?
1 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for dry hair and an intolerance to
cold."
2 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for muscle cramping and
sluggishness."
3 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for fatigue and an increased pulse
rate."
4 "I should call the primary healthcare provider for tachycardia and an increase in
weight.": Dry, sparse hair and cold intolerance are characteristic responses to low
serum thyroxine. Muscle cramping is associated with hypocalcemia. Low thyroxine
levels reduce the metabolic rate, resulting in fatigue, but do not increase the pulse rate.
Low thyroxine levels reduce the metabolic rate, resulting in weight gain and
bradycardia, not tachycardia.
6. Which drug would be effective for the treatment of pituitary Cushing's syndrome?
1 Mitotane
2 Cabergoline
3 Cyproheptadine
4 Bromocriptine mesylate: Cyproheptadine is effective for the treatment of pituitary
Cushing's syndrome. Mitotane is prescribed for the treatment of adrenal Cushing's
syndrome. Cabergoline and bromocriptine mesylate are effective for the treatment of
hyperpituitarism.
7. Which adverse effect can be seen in a female client with gonadotropin
deficiency and undergoing hormone replacement therapy?: A female client with
gonadotropin deficiency is treated by replacement therapy of combined hormones,
namely estrogen and progesterone. The side effect of this therapy is the increased risk
of thrombosis or formation of blood clots in deep veins. Hypertension is a side effect of
estrogen-progesterone therapy. Dehydration and increased thirst could indicate
vasopressin deficiency.
8. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of chronic adrenal insufficiency. Which
roommate should be avoided when assigning a room for this client?
1 A young adult client with pneumonia
2 An adolescent client with a fractured leg
3 An older adult client who had a brain attack
2/9
