ATI Medical-Surgical Exam 5 Study Guide: Endocrine Disorders 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with SIADH. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Excessive thirst
B. Polyuria
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: SIADH involves excessive ADH release, leading to water retention and dilutional
hyponatremia.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?
A. Specific gravity of 1.035
B. Weight gain
C. High serum osmolality
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: In DI, the loss of large amounts of water results in concentrated blood (high
serum osmolality) and dilute urine.
,3. A client is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the
nurse instruct the client to take this medication?
A. Before bed with a snack
B. In the morning, 30-60 minutes before breakfast
C. With the largest meal of the day
D. Immediately after lunch
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption,
typically in the morning.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is a primary concern for a client with
Hypoparathyroidism?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium; a deficiency leads to low serum
calcium levels.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with Graves’ disease. Which finding is consistent
with this diagnosis?
A. Exophthalmos
B. Lethargy
C. Cold intolerance
D. Weight gain
Answer: A
Rationale: Exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs) is a common clinical sign of
hyperthyroidism in Graves’ disease.
, 6. A client is experiencing an Addisonian Crisis. Which medication should the
nurse expect to administer immediately?
A. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate
B. Insulin
C. Glucagon
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Rationale: Addisonian crisis requires rapid replacement of corticosteroids to treat acute
adrenal insufficiency.
7. A client with Cushing’s syndrome is at high risk for which of the following?
A. Infection
B. Weight loss
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome involves excess cortisol, which suppresses the immune
system and increases infection risk.
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Blood glucose level of 150 mg/dL
C. Absent ketones in urine
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as the body tries to
compensate for metabolic acidosis.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with SIADH. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Excessive thirst
B. Polyuria
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: SIADH involves excessive ADH release, leading to water retention and dilutional
hyponatremia.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?
A. Specific gravity of 1.035
B. Weight gain
C. High serum osmolality
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: In DI, the loss of large amounts of water results in concentrated blood (high
serum osmolality) and dilute urine.
,3. A client is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the
nurse instruct the client to take this medication?
A. Before bed with a snack
B. In the morning, 30-60 minutes before breakfast
C. With the largest meal of the day
D. Immediately after lunch
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption,
typically in the morning.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is a primary concern for a client with
Hypoparathyroidism?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium; a deficiency leads to low serum
calcium levels.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with Graves’ disease. Which finding is consistent
with this diagnosis?
A. Exophthalmos
B. Lethargy
C. Cold intolerance
D. Weight gain
Answer: A
Rationale: Exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs) is a common clinical sign of
hyperthyroidism in Graves’ disease.
, 6. A client is experiencing an Addisonian Crisis. Which medication should the
nurse expect to administer immediately?
A. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate
B. Insulin
C. Glucagon
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Rationale: Addisonian crisis requires rapid replacement of corticosteroids to treat acute
adrenal insufficiency.
7. A client with Cushing’s syndrome is at high risk for which of the following?
A. Infection
B. Weight loss
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome involves excess cortisol, which suppresses the immune
system and increases infection risk.
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Blood glucose level of 150 mg/dL
C. Absent ketones in urine
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as the body tries to
compensate for metabolic acidosis.
