ATI Medical-Surgical Endocrine Practice
Exam 2026 | 100 Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Complete
Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cold intolerance
C. Weight gain
D. Heat intolerance
Answer: D. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic activity, commonly causing
heat intolerance, sweating, weight loss, tachycardia, and nervousness.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has hypothyroidism. Which finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Diarrhea
B. Weight loss
C. Cold intolerance
D. Tachycardia
,Answer: C. Cold intolerance
Rationale: Reduced thyroid hormone levels slow metabolism and can cause cold
intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and bradycardia.
3. A client with Graves' disease is prescribed methimazole. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor?
A. Hemoglobin
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum calcium
Answer: B. White blood cell count
Rationale: Methimazole can cause agranulocytosis. The nurse should monitor
the WBC count and instruct the client to report fever or sore throat.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which cardiovascular
finding is expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypotension with a slow pulse
D. Complete heart block
Answer: B. Tachycardia
Rationale: Excess thyroid hormone increases sympathetic activity and metabolic
demand, commonly producing tachycardia and palpitations.
5. A client is experiencing thyroid storm. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as a priority?
A. Hypothermia
B. Severe bradycardia
C. High fever
D. Constipation
,Answer: C. High fever
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening exacerbation of hyperthyroidism
characterized by high fever, severe tachycardia, altered mental status, and
cardiovascular instability.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking levothyroxine. Which instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with an antacid.
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C. Stop the medication when symptoms improve.
D. Take the medication only when fatigue occurs.
Answer: B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an empty stomach to
promote reliable absorption.
7. A client who has hypothyroidism develops severe lethargy, hypothermia,
and altered mental status. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Thyroid storm
B. Myxedema coma
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Answer: B. Myxedema coma
Rationale: Myxedema coma is a severe, potentially fatal manifestation of
untreated or inadequately treated hypothyroidism. Hypothermia, decreased
level of consciousness, bradycardia, and respiratory depression can occur.
8. A nurse is assessing a client after thyroidectomy. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild incisional discomfort
B. Hoarse voice immediately after surgery
, C. Stridor
D. Mild sore throat
Answer: C. Stridor
Rationale: Stridor can indicate airway obstruction from swelling or bleeding and
requires immediate intervention.
9. A client develops tingling around the mouth and muscle spasms after
thyroid surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Accidental damage or removal of the parathyroid glands during
thyroid surgery can reduce parathyroid hormone and cause hypocalcemia.
10.Which assessment finding is associated with hypocalcemia?
A. Positive Trousseau's sign
B. Bounding pulse
C. Increased deep tendon reflexes only
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: A. Positive Trousseau's sign
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability and can produce
positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperparathyroidism. Which
laboratory finding should the nurse expect?
A. Low calcium
B. High calcium
Exam 2026 | 100 Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Complete
Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cold intolerance
C. Weight gain
D. Heat intolerance
Answer: D. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic activity, commonly causing
heat intolerance, sweating, weight loss, tachycardia, and nervousness.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has hypothyroidism. Which finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Diarrhea
B. Weight loss
C. Cold intolerance
D. Tachycardia
,Answer: C. Cold intolerance
Rationale: Reduced thyroid hormone levels slow metabolism and can cause cold
intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and bradycardia.
3. A client with Graves' disease is prescribed methimazole. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor?
A. Hemoglobin
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum calcium
Answer: B. White blood cell count
Rationale: Methimazole can cause agranulocytosis. The nurse should monitor
the WBC count and instruct the client to report fever or sore throat.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which cardiovascular
finding is expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypotension with a slow pulse
D. Complete heart block
Answer: B. Tachycardia
Rationale: Excess thyroid hormone increases sympathetic activity and metabolic
demand, commonly producing tachycardia and palpitations.
5. A client is experiencing thyroid storm. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as a priority?
A. Hypothermia
B. Severe bradycardia
C. High fever
D. Constipation
,Answer: C. High fever
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening exacerbation of hyperthyroidism
characterized by high fever, severe tachycardia, altered mental status, and
cardiovascular instability.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking levothyroxine. Which instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with an antacid.
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C. Stop the medication when symptoms improve.
D. Take the medication only when fatigue occurs.
Answer: B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an empty stomach to
promote reliable absorption.
7. A client who has hypothyroidism develops severe lethargy, hypothermia,
and altered mental status. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Thyroid storm
B. Myxedema coma
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Answer: B. Myxedema coma
Rationale: Myxedema coma is a severe, potentially fatal manifestation of
untreated or inadequately treated hypothyroidism. Hypothermia, decreased
level of consciousness, bradycardia, and respiratory depression can occur.
8. A nurse is assessing a client after thyroidectomy. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild incisional discomfort
B. Hoarse voice immediately after surgery
, C. Stridor
D. Mild sore throat
Answer: C. Stridor
Rationale: Stridor can indicate airway obstruction from swelling or bleeding and
requires immediate intervention.
9. A client develops tingling around the mouth and muscle spasms after
thyroid surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Accidental damage or removal of the parathyroid glands during
thyroid surgery can reduce parathyroid hormone and cause hypocalcemia.
10.Which assessment finding is associated with hypocalcemia?
A. Positive Trousseau's sign
B. Bounding pulse
C. Increased deep tendon reflexes only
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: A. Positive Trousseau's sign
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability and can produce
positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperparathyroidism. Which
laboratory finding should the nurse expect?
A. Low calcium
B. High calcium
