Nursing Assessment: Endocrine System

20 Questions | By Brownbritanny | Updated: Mar 21, 2022 | Attempts: 842

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1.

When evaluating the laboratory results for a patient with increased secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones, the nurse would expect to find
- A.
  
  Decreased serum thyroxine levels.
- B.
  
  Elevated serum aldosterone levels.
- C.
  
  An increase in urinary free cortisol.
- D.
  
  Low urinary excretion of catecholamines.
2.

When the nurse is obtaining the health history, which statement by a patient indicates further assessment of thyroid function may be necessary?
- A.
  
  “I notice my breasts are tender lately.”
- B.
  
  “I am so thirsty that I drink all day long.”
- C.
  
  “I get up several times at night to urinate.”
- D.
  
  “I feel a lump in my throat when I swallow.”
3.

A patient is admitted with a serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L. The nurse will anticipate the need for which diagnostic test?
- A.
  
  Urinary 17-ketosteroids
- B.
  
  Antidiuretic hormone level
- C.
  
  Growth hormone stimulation test
- D.
  
  Adrenocorticotropic hormone level
4.

The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a possible thyroid disorder. Which question will provide the most useful information?
- A.
  
  “What methods do you use to help cope with stress?”
- B.
  
  “Have you experienced any blurring or double vision?”
- C.
  
  “Do you have to get up at night to empty your bladder?”
- D.
  
  “Have you had any recent unplanned weight gain or loss?”
5.

When a patient in the outpatient clinic has an order for blood cortisol testing, which instruction will the nurse provide for the patient?
- A.
  
  “Avoid adding any salt to your foods for 24 hours before the test.”
- B.
  
  “You will need to lie down for 30 minutes before the blood is drawn.”
- C.
  
  “Come to the laboratory to have the blood drawn early in the morning.”
- D.
  
  “Do not have anything to eat or drink before the blood test is obtained.”
6.

A patient has a total serum calcium level of 13.3 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L). The nurse will anticipate the need to teach the patient about testing for
- A.
  
  Calcitonin levels.
- B.
  
  Catecholamine levels.
- C.
  
  Thyroid hormone levels.
- D.
  
  Parathyroid hormone levels.
7.

During a physical examination, the nurse finds that a patient’s thyroid gland cannot be palpated. The most appropriate action by the nurse is to
- A.
  
  Palpate the patient’s neck more deeply.
- B.
  
  Document that the thyroid was nonpalpable.
- C.
  
  Notify the health care provider immediately.
- D.
  
  Teach the patient about thyroid hormone testing.
8.

When a patient has clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism, which laboratory value should the nurse review to determine whether the hypothyroidism is caused by a problem with the anterior pituitary gland or with the thyroid gland?
- A.
  
  Thyroxine (T4) level
- B.
  
  Triiodothyronine (T3) level
- C.
  
  Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level
- D.
  
  Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) level
9.

When working with a patient who has diabetes mellitus, the nurse reviews the results of testing for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) to evaluate for
- A.
  
  Glucose levels 2 hours after a meal.
- B.
  
  Circulating, nonfasting glucose levels.
- C.
  
  Glucose control over the past 3 months.
- D.
  
  Hypoglycemic episodes in the past 90 days.
10.

When a patient is taking spironolactone (Aldactone), a drug that blocks the action of aldosterone on the kidney, the nurse will monitor for
- A.
  
  Decreased urinary output.
- B.
  
  Evidence of fluid overload.
- C.
  
  Increased serum sodium levels.
- D.
  
  Elevated serum potassium levels.
11.

Which information about a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus will be most useful to the nurse in developing strategies for successful adaptation to this disease?
- A.
  
  Ideal weight
- B.
  
  Value system
- C.
  
  Activity level
- D.
  
  Visual changes
12.

The nurse will plan patient care that will decrease the patient’s physical and emotional stress when the patient is undergoing
- A.
  
  A water deprivation test.
- B.
  
  Testing for serum T3 and T4 levels.
- C.
  
  A 24-hour urine test for free cortisol. .
- D.
  
  A radioactive iodine (I-131) uptake test
13.

A patient is scheduled for a growth hormone stimulation test. In preparation for the test, the nurse will obtain a
- A.
  
  Basin of ice.
- B.
  
  Cardiac monitor.
- C.
  
  Vial of glargine insulin. .
- D.
  
  Vial of 50% dextrose solution
14.

A patient is scheduled for a 24-hour urine collection for 17-ketosteroids. The nurse will need to
- A.
  
  Keep the specimen on ice.
- B.
  
  Insert a retention catheter.
- C.
  
  Have the patient void and save that specimen to start the collection.
- D.
  
  Encourage the patient to drink 2 to 3 L of fluid during the 24 hours.
15.

When reviewing the laboratory results for a patient’s total calcium level, which information will the nurse need to consider?
- A.
  
  The blood glucose is elevated.
- B.
  
  The phosphate level is normal.
- C.
  
  The serum albumin level is low.
- D.
  
  The magnesium level is normal.
16.

When the nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted with tetany, which laboratory value should be monitored?
- A.
  
  Total protein
- B.
  
  Blood glucose
- C.
  
  Ionized calcium
- D.
  
  Serum phosphate
17.

Which information about a patient who is scheduled for an oral glucose tolerance test should be reported to the health care provider before starting the test?
- A.
  
  The patient reports having occasional orthostatic dizziness.
- B.
  
  The patient has had a 10-pound weight gain in the last month.
- C.
  
  The patient drank several glasses of water an hour previously.
- D.
  
  The patient takes oral corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis.
18.

After the nurse manager at the endocrine clinic has completed the orientation of a new RN, which action by the new RN who is caring for a patient with a goiter and possible hyperthyroidism indicates the charge nurse needs to do more teaching?
- A.
  
  The RN palpates the neck to check thyroid size.
- B.
  
  The RN checks the blood pressure on both arms.
- C.
  
  The RN orders nonmedicated eye drops to lubricate the patient’s eyes.
- D.
  
  The RN lowers the thermostat to decrease the temperature in the room.
19.

When caring for a patient having a water deprivation test, which finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
- A.
  
  The patient complains of intense thirst.
- B.
  
  The patient has a 5-lb (2.3 kg) weight loss.
- C.
  
  The patient feels dizzy when sitting up on the edge of the bed.
- D.
  
  The patient’s urine osmolality does not change after antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is given.
20.

A patient with a possible pituitary adenoma is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast media. Which patient information is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider before the test?
- A.
  
  Bilateral poor peripheral vision
- B.
  
  Allergies to iodine and shellfish
- C.
  
  Recent weight loss of 20 pounds
- D.
  
  Complaints of ongoing headaches