Deck 40: Assessment of Endocrine Function

Question 1

The nurse monitors for which clinical manifestation in the patient with a decrease in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion?
1)Increased sodium excretion
2)Increased potassium excretion
3)Increased urine output
4)Increased urine specific gravity

Answer 1

3

Question 2

A patient has not eaten for 18 hours because of diagnostic testing. Which pancreatic hormone is maintaining this patient's blood glucose level?
1)Insulin
2)Cortisol
3)Glucagon
4)Epinephrine

Answer 2

3

Question 3

On physical examination, the nurse notes increased pigmentation and correlates this to a dysfunction in which endocrine gland?
1)Thyroid gland
2)Posterior pituitary
3)Anterior pituitary
4)Adrenal cortex

Answer 3

3

Question 4

The nurse notes that a patient has a tumor on the thyroid gland. Where should the nurse expect to palpate this tumor?
1)Anteriorly below the chin
2)At the level of the clavicle
3)Below the cricoid cartilage
4)At the level of the sternal notch

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with a disorder of the hypothalamus. To which other gland is this structure attached?
1)Thyroid
2)Thalamus
3)Pituitary gland
4)Adrenal glands

Question 6

The nurse correlates facial puffiness to an alteration in which endocrine gland?
1)Adrenal medulla
2)Pancreas
3)Parathyroid
4)Adrenal cortex

Question 7

The nurse correlated a vitamin D deficiency in the patient with a disorder of which endocrine gland?
1)Thyroid
2)Parathyroid
3)Hypothalamus
4)Anterior pituitary

Question 8

The nurse is preparing a teaching tool on the major hormones of the body for a community program. Which gland does the nurse identify as controlling calcium levels in the body?
1)Thyroid anterior pituitary
2)Parathyroid
3)Hypothalamus
4)Posterior pituitary

Question 9

Which statement by the patient who is being evaluated for a possible pheochromocytoma indicates understanding of the diagnostic evaluation test?
1)"This test requires me to fast for 12 hours."
2)"This test involves a CT scan of my abdominal area."
3)"This test involves an MRI of my head."
4)"This test requires an X-ray of my chest."

Question 10

An adolescent is experiencing delayed puberty. Which gland function should be evaluated?
1)Pancreas
2)Adrenal cortex
3)Anterior pituitary
4)Posterior pituitary

Question 11

The nurse is preparing a teaching tool that focuses on the endocrine system. How should the nurse explain the negative feedback system?
1)Hormone secretion increases when circulating levels drop.
2)Hormone secretion increases when target organs send signals.
3)Hormone secretion increases when circulating levels increase.
4)Hormone secretion increases when the target tissue does not recognize the level.

Question 12

Which assessment data from a patient who has been on long-term steroid therapy requires an immediate intervention?
1)Insomnia
2)Truncal obesity
3)Decreased blood glucose
4)Preexisting hypertension

Question 13

The nurse correlates which actions to release of triiodothyronine and thyroxine?
1)Increased glycolysis
2)Increased cholesterol
3)Decreased protein catabolism
4)Decreased mobilization of fatty acids

Question 14

In caring for a patient taking medications to suppress the immune response, it is important that the nurse recognize that these medications can produce which effect?
1)Increased secretion of cortisol
2)Increased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
3)Decreased secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone
4)Decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone

Question 15

The nurse is preparing to palpate a patient's thyroid gland. Which technique should be used for this assessment?
1)Palpate the left lobe with the patient's head turned to the right.
2)Palpate the right lobe with the patient's head turned to the left.
3)Stand behind the patient and place fingers on both sides of the neck.
4)Stand in front of the patient and palpate the lobes when the patient swallows.

Question 16

Which result does the nurse anticipate when reviewing a patient's laboratory tests for a diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism?
1)Hypocalcemia
2)Hypercalcemia
3)Decreased serum vitamin D
4)Increased serum phosphorus

Question 17

In assessing a patient with increased aldosterone, the nurse recognizes which actions of this hormone?
1)Increases potassium sodium reabsorption in the kidneys
2)Increases sodium reabsorption
3)Decreases calcium reabsorption in the kidneys
4)Decreases glucose reabsorption in the kidneys

Question 18

The nurse correlates increased circulating levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine to which physiological response?
1)Decreased secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
2)Decreased secretion of thyrocalcitonin
3)Increased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
4)Increased secretion of parathyroid hormone

Question 19

The nurse correlates which clinical manifestation to the presentation of a patient with elevated levels of growth hormone?
1)Truncal obesity
2)Facial puffiness
3)Thinning of hair
4)A broad forehead

Question 20

In assessing thyroid function, the nurse assesses for which finding in the patient with hypoalbuminemia?
1)Tachycardia
2)Hypernatremia
3)Increased urine output
4)Hypothermia

Question 21

The nurse notes that an older patient is wearing a sweater and scarf on a warm summer day. What should this observation indicate to the nurse?
1)The patient's target organs are diseased.
2)The patient's metabolism is slowing down.
3)The patient needs hormone replacement therapy.
4)The patient's endocrine organs are malfunctioning.

Question 22

A 60-year-old patient asks why endocrine testing is being done. Which is the best response for the nurse to make?
1)"Endocrine organs atrophy with aging."
2)"Endocrine function can change throughout the lifespan."
3)"Endocrine function should remain the same through the lifespan."
4)"Endocrine testing identifies which hormone replacement therapy you will need."

Question 23

The nurse correlates which assessment data to stimulation of beta-2 receptors? Select all that apply.
1)Diaphoresis
2)Dilated pupils
3)Warm dry skin
4)Urinary incontinence
5)Elevated blood pressure

Question 24

The nurse suspects that an older patient's new diagnosis of hypothyroidism is caused by downregulation. How should the nurse explain this to the patient?
1)"The organ making the hormones is degenerating."
2)"The strength of the hormones being synthesized is weaker."
3)"The body becomes confused about the purpose of the hormones."
4)"There are fewer receptors for the hormone to act upon."

Question 25

The nurse recognizes which hormones as being secreted from the hypothalamus? Select all that apply.
1)Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
2)Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
3)Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
4)Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
5)Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 26

In the patient with increasing serum calcium levels, the nurse correlates which physiological responses to maintain homeostasis? Select all that apply.
1)The thyroid gland releases calcitonin.
2)Calcium uptake is increased in the intestines.
3)Calcium reuptake is reduced in the kidneys.
4)The parathyroid gland releases parathyroid hormone.
5)Calcitonin stimulates calcium deposition in the bones.

Question 27

A patient is diagnosed with insufficient growth hormone. What effects will this have on the patient? Select all that apply.
1)Change in hair color
2)Decreased bone density
3)Increased protein synthesis
4)Increased use of fatty acids
5)Increased circulating blood glucose

Question 28

A patient is being evaluated for elevated levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The nurse correlates which patient data as a cause of ADH secretion? Select all that apply.
1)Dehydration
2)Pulse rate 66
3)Blood pressure 88/50
4)Serum osmolality 300 mOsm/kg
5)Serum blood glucose 215 g/dL

Question 29

The nurse correlates which physiological responses to a patient's elevated cortisol level? Select all that apply.
1)Alteration in fat metabolism
2)Excretion of sodium
3)Increased protein catabolism
4)Increased serum glucose levels
5)Suppression of inflammatory response

Question 30

Which statement by the patient about how aging impacts the endocrine system indicates the need for further teaching?
1)"My appetite may decrease as I age."
2)"My bone density may decrease as I age."
3)"My blood glucose levels may decrease as I age."
4)"My skin may get drier as I age."