ENDOCRINE NCLEX PRACTICE EXAM PAPER - 2026-2027- REVISION
QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS
When caring for a male client with diabetes insipidus, nurse Juliet expects to
administer:
a. vasopressin (Pitressin Synthetic)
b. furosemide (Lasix).
c. regular insulin.
d. 10% dextrose.
a. vasopressin (Pitressin Synthetic)
Because diabetes insipidus results from decreased antidiuretic hormone
(vasopressin) production, the nurse should expect to administer synthetic
vasopressin for hormone replacement therapy. Furosemide, a diuretic, is
contraindicated because a client with diabetes insipidus experiences polyuria.
Insulin and dextrose are used to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications,
not diabetes insipidus.
Nurse Ronn is assessing a client with possible Cushing's syndrome. In a client
with Cushing's syndrome, the nurse would expect to find:
a. Hypotension.
b. Thick, coarse skin.
c. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area.
d. Weight gain in arms and legs.
c. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area
Because of changes in fat distribution, adipose tissue accumulates in the trunk,
face (moonface), and dorsocervical areas (buffalo hump). Hypertension is
caused by fluid retention. Skin becomes thin and bruises easily because of a loss
of collagen. Muscle wasting causes muscle atrophy and thin extremities.
For the first 72 hours after thyroidectomy surgery, nurse Jamie would assess the
female client for Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign because they indicate
which of the following?
,a. Hypocalcemia
b. Hypercalcemia
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hyperkalemia
a. Hypocalcemia
The client who has undergone a thyroidectomy is at risk for developing
hypocalcemia from inadvertent removal or damage to the parathyroid gland.
The client with hypocalcemia will exhibit a positive Chvostek's sign (facial
muscle contraction when the facial nerve in front of the ear is tapped) and a
positive Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm when a blood pressure cuff is inflated
for a few minutes). These signs aren't present with hypercalcemia,
hypokalemia, or hyperkalemia.
Which of the following assessment findings characterize thyroid storm?
a) increased body temperature, decreased pulse, and increased blood pressure
b) increased body temperature, increased pulse, and increased blood pressure
c) increased body temperature, decreased pulse, and decreased blood pressure
d) increased body temperature, increased pulse, and decreased blood pressure
b) increased body temperature, increased pulse, and increased blood pressure
Thyroid storm is characterized by SNS activation. Thyroid hormones potentiate
effects of cathecolamines (epinephrine/norepinephrine). Therefore, all vital
signs will be increased.
The nurse is planning care for a client with hyperthyroidism. Which of the
following nursing interventions are appropriate? Select all that apply
a) instill isotonic eye drops as necessary
b) provide several, small, well-balanced meals
c) provide rest periods
d) keep environment warm
e) encourage frequent visitors and conversation
,f) weigh the client daily
a, b, c, and f
(a) The client with hyperthyroidism may experience exopthalmos. This requires
instillation of eye drops to prevent dryness and ulceration of the cornea.
(b and f) The client experiences weight loss because of hypermetabolism.
Several, small, well-balanced meals are given to improve nutritional status of
the client and daily weights should be monitored. Weight is the most objective
indicator of nutritional status.
(c) The client is usually exhausted due to restlessness and agitation. Frequent
rest periods help the client regain energy.
After thyroidectomy, which of the following is the priority assessment to
observe laryngeal nerve damage?
a) hoarseness of voice
b) difficulty in swallowing
c) tetany
d) fever
a) hoarseness of voice
Laryngeal nerve damage is manifested by severe hoarseness of voice of
"whispery voice".
An incoherent female client with a history of hypothyroidism is brought to the
emergency department by the rescue squad. Physical and laboratory findings
reveal hypothermia, hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, bradycardia,
hypotension, and nonpitting edema of the face and pretibial area. Knowing that
these findings suggest severe hypothyroidism, nurse Libby prepares to take
emergency action to prevent the potential complication of:
a. Thyroid storm.
b. Cretinism.
, c. Myxedema coma.
d. Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
c. Myexedema coma.
Severe hypothyroidism may result in myxedema coma, in which a drastic drop
in the metabolic rate causes decreased vital signs, hypoventilation (possibly
leading to respiratory acidosis), and nonpitting edema. Thyroid storm is an
acute complication of hyperthyroidism. Cretinism is a form of hypothyroidism
that occurs in infants. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common chronic
inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland in which autoimmune factors play a
prominent role.
In a 29-year-old female client who is being successfully treated for Cushing's
syndrome, nurse Lyzette would expect a decline in:
a. Serum glucose level.
b. Hair loss.
c. Bone mineralization.
d. Menstrual flow.
a. Serum glucose level.
Hyperglycemia, which develops from glucocorticoid excess, is a manifestation
of Cushing's syndrome. With successful treatment of the disorder, serum
glucose levels decline. Hirsutism is common in Cushing's syndrome; therefore,
with successful treatment, abnormal hair growth also declines. Osteoporosis
occurs in Cushing's syndrome; therefore, with successful treatment, bone
mineralization increases. Amenorrhea develops in Cushing's syndrome. With
successful treatment, the client experiences a return of menstrual flow, not a
decline in it.
Nurse Oliver should expect a client with hypothyroidism to report which health
concerns?
a. Increased appetite and weight loss
QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS
When caring for a male client with diabetes insipidus, nurse Juliet expects to
administer:
a. vasopressin (Pitressin Synthetic)
b. furosemide (Lasix).
c. regular insulin.
d. 10% dextrose.
a. vasopressin (Pitressin Synthetic)
Because diabetes insipidus results from decreased antidiuretic hormone
(vasopressin) production, the nurse should expect to administer synthetic
vasopressin for hormone replacement therapy. Furosemide, a diuretic, is
contraindicated because a client with diabetes insipidus experiences polyuria.
Insulin and dextrose are used to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications,
not diabetes insipidus.
Nurse Ronn is assessing a client with possible Cushing's syndrome. In a client
with Cushing's syndrome, the nurse would expect to find:
a. Hypotension.
b. Thick, coarse skin.
c. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area.
d. Weight gain in arms and legs.
c. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area
Because of changes in fat distribution, adipose tissue accumulates in the trunk,
face (moonface), and dorsocervical areas (buffalo hump). Hypertension is
caused by fluid retention. Skin becomes thin and bruises easily because of a loss
of collagen. Muscle wasting causes muscle atrophy and thin extremities.
For the first 72 hours after thyroidectomy surgery, nurse Jamie would assess the
female client for Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign because they indicate
which of the following?
,a. Hypocalcemia
b. Hypercalcemia
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hyperkalemia
a. Hypocalcemia
The client who has undergone a thyroidectomy is at risk for developing
hypocalcemia from inadvertent removal or damage to the parathyroid gland.
The client with hypocalcemia will exhibit a positive Chvostek's sign (facial
muscle contraction when the facial nerve in front of the ear is tapped) and a
positive Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm when a blood pressure cuff is inflated
for a few minutes). These signs aren't present with hypercalcemia,
hypokalemia, or hyperkalemia.
Which of the following assessment findings characterize thyroid storm?
a) increased body temperature, decreased pulse, and increased blood pressure
b) increased body temperature, increased pulse, and increased blood pressure
c) increased body temperature, decreased pulse, and decreased blood pressure
d) increased body temperature, increased pulse, and decreased blood pressure
b) increased body temperature, increased pulse, and increased blood pressure
Thyroid storm is characterized by SNS activation. Thyroid hormones potentiate
effects of cathecolamines (epinephrine/norepinephrine). Therefore, all vital
signs will be increased.
The nurse is planning care for a client with hyperthyroidism. Which of the
following nursing interventions are appropriate? Select all that apply
a) instill isotonic eye drops as necessary
b) provide several, small, well-balanced meals
c) provide rest periods
d) keep environment warm
e) encourage frequent visitors and conversation
,f) weigh the client daily
a, b, c, and f
(a) The client with hyperthyroidism may experience exopthalmos. This requires
instillation of eye drops to prevent dryness and ulceration of the cornea.
(b and f) The client experiences weight loss because of hypermetabolism.
Several, small, well-balanced meals are given to improve nutritional status of
the client and daily weights should be monitored. Weight is the most objective
indicator of nutritional status.
(c) The client is usually exhausted due to restlessness and agitation. Frequent
rest periods help the client regain energy.
After thyroidectomy, which of the following is the priority assessment to
observe laryngeal nerve damage?
a) hoarseness of voice
b) difficulty in swallowing
c) tetany
d) fever
a) hoarseness of voice
Laryngeal nerve damage is manifested by severe hoarseness of voice of
"whispery voice".
An incoherent female client with a history of hypothyroidism is brought to the
emergency department by the rescue squad. Physical and laboratory findings
reveal hypothermia, hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, bradycardia,
hypotension, and nonpitting edema of the face and pretibial area. Knowing that
these findings suggest severe hypothyroidism, nurse Libby prepares to take
emergency action to prevent the potential complication of:
a. Thyroid storm.
b. Cretinism.
, c. Myxedema coma.
d. Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
c. Myexedema coma.
Severe hypothyroidism may result in myxedema coma, in which a drastic drop
in the metabolic rate causes decreased vital signs, hypoventilation (possibly
leading to respiratory acidosis), and nonpitting edema. Thyroid storm is an
acute complication of hyperthyroidism. Cretinism is a form of hypothyroidism
that occurs in infants. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common chronic
inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland in which autoimmune factors play a
prominent role.
In a 29-year-old female client who is being successfully treated for Cushing's
syndrome, nurse Lyzette would expect a decline in:
a. Serum glucose level.
b. Hair loss.
c. Bone mineralization.
d. Menstrual flow.
a. Serum glucose level.
Hyperglycemia, which develops from glucocorticoid excess, is a manifestation
of Cushing's syndrome. With successful treatment of the disorder, serum
glucose levels decline. Hirsutism is common in Cushing's syndrome; therefore,
with successful treatment, abnormal hair growth also declines. Osteoporosis
occurs in Cushing's syndrome; therefore, with successful treatment, bone
mineralization increases. Amenorrhea develops in Cushing's syndrome. With
successful treatment, the client experiences a return of menstrual flow, not a
decline in it.
Nurse Oliver should expect a client with hypothyroidism to report which health
concerns?
a. Increased appetite and weight loss
