C HAPTER 36: D RUGS U SED TO T REAT
T HYROID D ISEASE
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with m yxedema complains to the nurse that he has a ―hangover‖
the next morning after taking a pain me dication at night. Which
explanation by the nurse is the most accurate?
a. “You have increased sensitivit y to the medicine because of your
thyroid condition.”
b. “Because you haven ’t been sleeping, you have increased fatigue and
should increase the analgesic.”
c. “You are not taking enough thyroid medication and you should
increase the dosage.”
d. “The pain medication is incompatible with your thyroid medication
and you should find another analgesic to take. ”
ANS: A
M yxedema patients are sensitive to small doses of sedative hypnotics,
anesthetics, and narcotics. Increasing the analgesic would onl y make the
patient feel more lethargic in the morning. the patient should not change the
dose of his thyroid medication without consulting his primary healthcare
provider. An y pain medication is likel y to have this effect because of the
patient’s thyroid condition.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 596 OBJ: 1
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
, TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Safet y | Communication | Patient Education |
Hormonal Regulation
2. Which condition can occur if congenital hypothyroidism is not treated?
a. Diabetes
b. Impaired vision
c. Periorbital edema
d. Cretinism
ANS: D
Cretinism is a condition resultin g from congenital hypothyroidism. Diabetes
is not a complication of congenital hypothyroidism. Periorbital edema and
impaired vision are complications of hyperthyroidism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 597 OBJ: 1
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Categor y: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Hormonal Regulation
3. Which statement correctl y identifies the mechanism of action of
propylthiouracil?
a. Blocks reuptake of thyroid hormone in the liver.
b. Destroys hormone in the thyroid gland.
c. Increases synthesis of hormone in the thyroid gland.
d. Blocks synthesis of hormone in the thyroid gland.
ANS: D
Propylthiouracil and methimazole are antithyroid agents that act by blocking
the s ynthesis of T3 and T4 in the thyroid gland. They do not destroy any T3
T HYROID D ISEASE
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with m yxedema complains to the nurse that he has a ―hangover‖
the next morning after taking a pain me dication at night. Which
explanation by the nurse is the most accurate?
a. “You have increased sensitivit y to the medicine because of your
thyroid condition.”
b. “Because you haven ’t been sleeping, you have increased fatigue and
should increase the analgesic.”
c. “You are not taking enough thyroid medication and you should
increase the dosage.”
d. “The pain medication is incompatible with your thyroid medication
and you should find another analgesic to take. ”
ANS: A
M yxedema patients are sensitive to small doses of sedative hypnotics,
anesthetics, and narcotics. Increasing the analgesic would onl y make the
patient feel more lethargic in the morning. the patient should not change the
dose of his thyroid medication without consulting his primary healthcare
provider. An y pain medication is likel y to have this effect because of the
patient’s thyroid condition.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 596 OBJ: 1
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
, TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Safet y | Communication | Patient Education |
Hormonal Regulation
2. Which condition can occur if congenital hypothyroidism is not treated?
a. Diabetes
b. Impaired vision
c. Periorbital edema
d. Cretinism
ANS: D
Cretinism is a condition resultin g from congenital hypothyroidism. Diabetes
is not a complication of congenital hypothyroidism. Periorbital edema and
impaired vision are complications of hyperthyroidism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 597 OBJ: 1
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Categor y: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Hormonal Regulation
3. Which statement correctl y identifies the mechanism of action of
propylthiouracil?
a. Blocks reuptake of thyroid hormone in the liver.
b. Destroys hormone in the thyroid gland.
c. Increases synthesis of hormone in the thyroid gland.
d. Blocks synthesis of hormone in the thyroid gland.
ANS: D
Propylthiouracil and methimazole are antithyroid agents that act by blocking
the s ynthesis of T3 and T4 in the thyroid gland. They do not destroy any T3
