Deck 43: Coordinating Care for Patients With Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders

Question 1

The nurse is preparing to assess a patient with exophthalmos.On which body system should the nurse focus during this assessment?

A) Sensory
B) Hematological
C) Gastrointestinal
D) Musculoskeletal

Answer 1

Sensory

Question 2

A patient with hyperthyroidism is prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU).What should the nurse include in the teaching plan when explaining the mechanism of this medication?

A) Diverts iodine pathways
B) Causes formation of thyroid antibodies
C) Decreases the vascularity of the thyroid gland
D) Blocks iodine from binding with thyroglobulin

Answer 2

Diverts iodine pathways

Question 3

A patient recovering from surgery to treat thyroid cancer continues to lose weight.Which health-care professional should be consulted to help with this patient's problem?

A) Surgeon
B) Dietician
C) Pharmacist
D) Radiologist

Answer 3

Dietician

Question 4

The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected hypoparathyroidism.Which finding should the nurse identify as needing further investigation?

A) Heart rate 88 bpm
B) Respiratory rate 16
C) Temperature 99.2^°F
D) Blood pressure 88/50 mm Hg

Question 5

A patient with chronic renal failure is diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism.Which treatment approach should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

A) Increased oral fluid intake
B) Oral thiazide diuretics twice a day
C) High-volume normal saline infusions
D) Discontinue calcium and vitamin D supplements

Question 6

During an assessment the nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing hypoparathyroidism.What finding caused the nurse to make this clinical determination?

A) Low heart rate
B) Muscle weakness
C) Respiratory rate 20 and shallow
D) Hand spasm when measuring blood pressure

Question 7

The nurse is explaining the mechanism of hypoparathyroidism.Which electrolyte should the nurse explain as being the most significant with regard to this disorder?

A) Sodium
B) Calcium
C) Potassium
D) Cholesterol

Question 8

The nurse is preparing medications for a patient with hypoparathyroidism.What should be administered with a calcium supplement?

A) Lithium
B) Synthroid
C) Vitamin D
D) Proplythiouracil (PTU)

Question 9

A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid).At which time should the nurse schedule this medication to be administered?

A) 0800 hours
B) 1200 hours
C) 1700 hours
D) 2300 hours

Question 10

A patient is being evaluated for hyperthyroidism.What is the most common cause for this disorder?

A) Cancer
B) Toxic medications
C) Radiation exposure
D) Autoimmune disorder

Question 11

The nurse notices that a patient with hypothyroidism has a husky voice.To what should the nurse attribute this finding?

A) Chronic fatigue
B) Enlarged thyroid gland
C) Edema of the tongue and larynx
D) Dry mucous membranes from dehydration

Question 12

A patient is recovering from a thyroidectomy.Which observation needs to be reported immediately to the health-care provider?

A) Changes in voice tone
B) Hypoactive bowel sounds
C) Blood pressure 138/70 mm H
D) Complaints of postoperative pain

Question 13

The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a patient being treated medically for hyperthyroidism.What should the nurse emphasize to protect the patient's eyes?

A) Use artificial tears
B) Wear sunglasses at all times
C) Wear eye shields at all times
D) Tape the eyes closed at bedtime

Question 14

A patient with hypothyroidism asks why the neck has become so large.What should the nurse respond to this patient?

A) "The growth is cancer."
B) "The sluggish thyroid caused fat to be deposited around the neck."
C) "The growth is the body's attempt to wall off the infection in your thyroid."
D) "The gland got larger because it was trying to make more thyroid hormone."

Question 15

A patient is being evaluated for hypoparathyroidism.Which laboratory value would help confirm this diagnosis?

A) Elevated serum phosphate
B) Elevated serum magnesium
C) Decreased serum potassium
D) Serum albumin within normal limits

Question 16

A patient spontaneously develops manifestations of hypoparathyroidism.What should be considered as the reason for this health problem?

A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Thyroid hypertrophy
C) Low intake of calcium-rich foods
D) Congenital absence of parathyroid glands

Question 17

The nurse notes that a patient is diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.What is the most likely cause of this patient's health problem?

A) Congenital
B) Iodine deficiency
C) Tyrosine deficiency
D) Autoimmune response

Question 18

The nurse is evaluating care provided to a patient with hypothyroidism.Which finding indicates that additional care is needed?

A) Skin warm and supple
B) Heart rate 72 and regular
C) Blood pressure 118/68 mm Hg
D) Weight increase 2 kg over a month

Question 19

A patient is diagnosed with secondary hyperparathyroidism.Which additional health problem is this patient most likely being treated for?

A) Diabetes insipidus
B) Hyperaldosteronism
C) Chronic renal failure
D) Parathyroid adenoma

Question 20

A patient with hyperthyroidism is placed on seizure precautions as a result of which observation?

A) Hyponatremia
B) Exophthalmos
C) Rapid heart rate
D) Increased T3 and T4 levels

Question 21

The nurse is evaluating teaching provided to a patient with hyperparathyroidism.Which statement indicates that teaching has been effective?

A) "I should expect to have a poor appetite."
B) "I should eat raw vegetables and fruits every day."
C) "I should expect to have muscle cramping and pain."
D) "I should consume diary products with breakfast and lunch."

Question 22

A patient with hyperparathyroidism is experiencing flank pain.For which health problem should this patient be assessed?

A) Renal calculi
B) Muscle spasms
C) Adrenal gland dysfunction
D) Elevated phosphorous level