MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING ;EXPECTED
QUESTIONS ON ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND
THEIR CORRECT ANSWERS
When the nurse assesses the patient who has
pancreatitis, what function may be altered related to
the endocrine function of the pancreas?
Blood glucose regulation
An elderly patient is seen in the endocrine clinic. Upon
assessment, the nurse notes a palpable thyroid gland.
What does this finding indicate?
This is a normal finding in the elderly
A patient reports weight loss, increased appetite,
chest pain, and hair loss. Assessment findings
include large and protruding eyes, skin that is warm,
smooth, and moist, an elevated blood pressure, and
an increased heart rate. The nurse suspects that the
patient has which condition?
Hyperthyroidism
The nurse working in an endocrine clinic knows that
Trousseau's sign is an important diagnostic tool.
Which statement best describes how to conduct the
test for Trousseau's sign?
Inflate the blood pressure cuff
A 22-year-old male patient states, "I am not able to
grow a beard or mustache." The nurse recognizes that
which hormonal imbalance may lead to this type of
problem?
Testosterone
,The laboratory findings of a patient indicate decreased
urine output. What condition does the nurse suspect?
Syndrome of inapropriate antidiuretic hormone
Which hormone helps maintain water balance in a
patient's body?
Antidiuretic hormone
A patient has sought care because of a loss of 25 lb
over the past six months during which the patient
claims to have made no significant dietary changes.
For what potential problem should the nurse assess
the patient?
Thyroid disorders
What is hypothyroidism and what causes it?
Hypothyroidism is insufficient circulating thyroid hormone.
May be primary or secondary which is determined by the
TSH level.
It can be caused by iodine deficiency, atrophy of the
thyroid gland, treatment of hyperthyroidism (RAI), or
adverse drug effects (amiodrone and lithium)
What is primary and secondary hypothyroidism?
Primary: TSH is high. Related to destruction of thyroid
tissue or defective hormone synthesis
Secondary: TSH is low. Related to pituitary disease with
decreased TSH or hypothalmic dysfunction with
decreased TRH
If someone has low TSH, they have what type of
hypothyroidism?
, Secondary, because the pituitary or hypothalamus is not
making enough TSH
What are the common clinical manifestations of
hypothyroidism?
- Decreased rate and force of contraction
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Anemia, dyspnea
- Decreased appetite, weight gain, constipation
- Dry, thick, inelastic skin
- Decreased sweating, pallor
- Fatigue, weakness, slow movements
- Apathy, lethargy, slow slurred speech
- Cold intolerance
- Goiter (seen in both hyper and hypo)
* Everything slows down *
What diagnostic studies confirm hypothyroidism?
- TSH to determine if it is primary or secondary
- Free T4: decreased
- Increased cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine
- Presence of thyroi peroxidase
How do we treat hypothyroidism?
- We want to restore euthyroid state quickly and safely
- Low calorie diet to promote weight loss
- Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)
What is Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)?
- It is given to treat hypothyroidism
- In older adults and people with compromised cardiac
status, we need to start this with a small dose
- This is a life long replacement therapy
- Leothyroxine effects anticoagulants and digitalis, therefor
QUESTIONS ON ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND
THEIR CORRECT ANSWERS
When the nurse assesses the patient who has
pancreatitis, what function may be altered related to
the endocrine function of the pancreas?
Blood glucose regulation
An elderly patient is seen in the endocrine clinic. Upon
assessment, the nurse notes a palpable thyroid gland.
What does this finding indicate?
This is a normal finding in the elderly
A patient reports weight loss, increased appetite,
chest pain, and hair loss. Assessment findings
include large and protruding eyes, skin that is warm,
smooth, and moist, an elevated blood pressure, and
an increased heart rate. The nurse suspects that the
patient has which condition?
Hyperthyroidism
The nurse working in an endocrine clinic knows that
Trousseau's sign is an important diagnostic tool.
Which statement best describes how to conduct the
test for Trousseau's sign?
Inflate the blood pressure cuff
A 22-year-old male patient states, "I am not able to
grow a beard or mustache." The nurse recognizes that
which hormonal imbalance may lead to this type of
problem?
Testosterone
,The laboratory findings of a patient indicate decreased
urine output. What condition does the nurse suspect?
Syndrome of inapropriate antidiuretic hormone
Which hormone helps maintain water balance in a
patient's body?
Antidiuretic hormone
A patient has sought care because of a loss of 25 lb
over the past six months during which the patient
claims to have made no significant dietary changes.
For what potential problem should the nurse assess
the patient?
Thyroid disorders
What is hypothyroidism and what causes it?
Hypothyroidism is insufficient circulating thyroid hormone.
May be primary or secondary which is determined by the
TSH level.
It can be caused by iodine deficiency, atrophy of the
thyroid gland, treatment of hyperthyroidism (RAI), or
adverse drug effects (amiodrone and lithium)
What is primary and secondary hypothyroidism?
Primary: TSH is high. Related to destruction of thyroid
tissue or defective hormone synthesis
Secondary: TSH is low. Related to pituitary disease with
decreased TSH or hypothalmic dysfunction with
decreased TRH
If someone has low TSH, they have what type of
hypothyroidism?
, Secondary, because the pituitary or hypothalamus is not
making enough TSH
What are the common clinical manifestations of
hypothyroidism?
- Decreased rate and force of contraction
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Anemia, dyspnea
- Decreased appetite, weight gain, constipation
- Dry, thick, inelastic skin
- Decreased sweating, pallor
- Fatigue, weakness, slow movements
- Apathy, lethargy, slow slurred speech
- Cold intolerance
- Goiter (seen in both hyper and hypo)
* Everything slows down *
What diagnostic studies confirm hypothyroidism?
- TSH to determine if it is primary or secondary
- Free T4: decreased
- Increased cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine
- Presence of thyroi peroxidase
How do we treat hypothyroidism?
- We want to restore euthyroid state quickly and safely
- Low calorie diet to promote weight loss
- Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)
What is Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)?
- It is given to treat hypothyroidism
- In older adults and people with compromised cardiac
status, we need to start this with a small dose
- This is a life long replacement therapy
- Leothyroxine effects anticoagulants and digitalis, therefor
