Deck 40: Assessment of Endocrine Function

Question 1

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?

A) "The organ making the hormones is degenerating."
B) "The strength of the hormones being synthesized is weaker."
C) "The body becomes confused about the purpose of the hormones.
D) "There are fewer receptors on the surface of target tissues."

Answer 1

"There are fewer receptors on the surface of target tissues."

Question 2

A patient's vitamin D level is below normal.Which endocrine gland will need additional investigation?

A) Thyroid
B) Parathyroid
C) Hypothalamus
D) Anterior pituitary

Answer 2

Parathyroid

Question 3

The nurse is preparing to palpate a patient's thyroid gland.Which technique should be used for this assessment?

A) Palpate the left lobe with the patient's head turned to the right
B) Palpate the right lobe with the patient's head turned to the left
C) Stand behind the patient and place fingers on both sides of the neck
D) Stand in front of the patient and palpate the lobes when the patient swallows

Answer 3

Stand behind the patient and place fingers on both sides of the neck

Question 4

An older patient with several chronic diseases asks why some of the health problems are being caused by hormone imbalances.What explanation should the nurse provide to this patient?

A) "The hormone imbalance caused the chronic disease."
B) "The chronic diseases exposed the underlying hormone imbalance."
C) "Other health problems can affect the normal production and response of hormones."
D) "The treatment for the chronic diseases adversely affected the organs and hormone production."

Question 5

The nurse notes that a patient's aldosterone level is elevated.Which structure is responsible for controlling this hormone?

A) Thyroid
B) Hypothalamus
C) Adrenal cortex
D) Adrenal medulla

Question 6

A patient with an endocrine disorder is being considered for diagnostic tests.What test should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

A) CT scan
B) Urinalysis
C) Sedimentation rate
D) Hemoglobin and hematocrit

Question 7

An adolescent is experiencing delayed puberty.Which gland function should be evaluated?

A) Pancreas
B) Adrenal cortex
C) Anterior pituitary
D) Posterior pituitary

Question 8

A patient is diagnosed with a disorder of the hypothalamus.To which other gland is this structure attached?

A) Thyroid
B) Thalamus
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal glands

Question 9

The nurse is preparing a teaching tool that focuses on the endocrine system.How should the nurse explain the negative feedback system?

A) Hormone secretion increases when circulating levels drop.
B) Hormone secretion increases when target organs send signals.
C) Hormone secretion increases when circulating levels increase.
D) Hormone secretion increases when the target tissue does not recognize the level.

Question 10

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?

A) The patient's target organs are diseased.
B) The patient's metabolism is slowing down.
C) The patient needs hormone replacement therapy.
D) The patient's endocrine organs are malfunctioning.

Question 11

The nurse is preparing to complete a physical assessment on a patient's endocrine system.Which gland should the nurse prepare to palpate?

A) Testes
B) Ovaries
C) Pancreas
D) Parathyroid

Question 12

A patient has not eaten for 18 hours because of diagnostic testing.Which pancreatic hormone is maintaining this patient's blood glucose level?

A) Insulin
B) Cortisol
C) Glucagon
D) Epinephrine

Question 13

The nurse is preparing a teaching tool on the major hormones of the body for a community program.Which gland should the nurse identify as controlling calcium levels in the body?

A) Thyroid
B) Parathyroid
C) Hypothalamus
D) Posterior pituitary

Question 14

The nurse is planning to assess a patient's endocrine system.What should be included in this assessment?

A) Lung sounds
B) Body weight
C) Bowel sounds
D) Peripheral pulses

Question 15

A 60-year-old patient asks why endocrine testing is being done.Which is the best response for the nurse to make?

A) "Endocrine organs atrophy with aging."
B) "Endocrine function can change through the lifespan."
C) "Endocrine function remains the same through the lifespan."
D) "Endocrine testing identifies which hormone replacement therapy you will need."

Question 16

Upon inspection the nurse notes that a patient's face is puffy.Which endocrine gland should the nurse assess for function?

A) Thyroid
B) Pancreas
C) Parathyroid
D) Adrenal cortex

Question 17

A patient is having a test to suppress cortisol levels.Which response suggests that additional testing of the adrenal cortex would be required?

A) Increase in urine output
B) Increase in cortisol level
C) Decrease in cortisol level
D) No change in cortisol level

Question 18

The nurse is conducting a physical assessment of a patient's endocrine system.What should the nurse include with auscultation?

A) Lung sounds
B) Bowel sounds
C) Carotid arteries
D) Abdominal aorta

Question 19

An older patient's fluid balance record shows a significant increase in urine output over the last few weeks with no other reported clinical symptoms.For which potential health problem should the nurse plan care for this patient?

A) Diabetes
B) Dehydration
C) Hyponatremia
D) Urinary tract infection

Question 20

The nurse notes that a patient has a tumor on the thyroid gland.Where should the nurse expect to palpate this tumor?

A) Anteriorly below the chin
B) At the level of the clavicle
C) Below the cricoid cartilage
D) Slightly above the angle of Louis