ATI Medical-Surgical Endocrine Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
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1. A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Heat intolerance
B. Tachycardia
C. Cold intolerance
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroid hormone
production is insufficient, causing a reduction in metabolic
activity. Clients commonly experience cold intolerance, fatigue,
weight gain, constipation, dry skin, bradycardia, and decreased
energy. Hyperthyroidism produces the opposite pattern,
including heat intolerance, tachycardia, increased appetite, and
weight loss.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperthyroidism.
Which assessment finding is most expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypothermia
C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Rationale: Excess thyroid hormone increases metabolic activity
and sympathetic stimulation. Tachycardia, palpitations, heat
intolerance, anxiety, weight loss, increased appetite, diarrhea,
and tremors are characteristic findings. Bradycardia,
hypothermia, and constipation are more consistent with
hypothyroidism.
3. A client is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with an antacid each morning.
B. Take the medication only when symptoms occur.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach, preferably in the
morning.
D. Stop taking the medication when thyroid levels become
normal.
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an
empty stomach, commonly 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast,
,to promote reliable absorption. Calcium and iron supplements,
as well as some antacids, can interfere with absorption and
should generally be separated from levothyroxine. Therapy is
usually long term, so normalization of laboratory values does
not mean the medication should be discontinued.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client who has hypothyroidism.
Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating primary
hypothyroidism?
A. Serum cortisol
B. Serum calcium
C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
D. Serum potassium
Rationale: TSH is a major laboratory marker used to evaluate
thyroid function. In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland
does not produce adequate thyroid hormone, so the pituitary
generally responds by increasing TSH secretion. Monitoring TSH
helps evaluate the adequacy of levothyroxine replacement in
many clients.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperthyroidism and
develops a temperature of 40°C (104°F), severe tachycardia,
, agitation, and vomiting. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Myxedema coma
B. Thyroid storm
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Diabetes insipidus
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening exacerbation of
hyperthyroidism characterized by extreme hypermetabolism.
High fever, severe tachycardia, altered mental status,
gastrointestinal symptoms, hypertension or hypotension, and
heart failure can occur. Immediate treatment is required
because thyroid storm can rapidly become fatal.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has Graves disease. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Severe bradycardia
B. Weight gain and lethargy
C. Exophthalmos
D. Hyporeflexia
Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that
causes excessive thyroid stimulation and hyperthyroidism.
Ophthalmopathy may produce exophthalmos, eye irritation,
photophobia, and visual disturbances. Other common
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Heat intolerance
B. Tachycardia
C. Cold intolerance
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroid hormone
production is insufficient, causing a reduction in metabolic
activity. Clients commonly experience cold intolerance, fatigue,
weight gain, constipation, dry skin, bradycardia, and decreased
energy. Hyperthyroidism produces the opposite pattern,
including heat intolerance, tachycardia, increased appetite, and
weight loss.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperthyroidism.
Which assessment finding is most expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypothermia
C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Rationale: Excess thyroid hormone increases metabolic activity
and sympathetic stimulation. Tachycardia, palpitations, heat
intolerance, anxiety, weight loss, increased appetite, diarrhea,
and tremors are characteristic findings. Bradycardia,
hypothermia, and constipation are more consistent with
hypothyroidism.
3. A client is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with an antacid each morning.
B. Take the medication only when symptoms occur.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach, preferably in the
morning.
D. Stop taking the medication when thyroid levels become
normal.
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an
empty stomach, commonly 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast,
,to promote reliable absorption. Calcium and iron supplements,
as well as some antacids, can interfere with absorption and
should generally be separated from levothyroxine. Therapy is
usually long term, so normalization of laboratory values does
not mean the medication should be discontinued.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client who has hypothyroidism.
Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating primary
hypothyroidism?
A. Serum cortisol
B. Serum calcium
C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
D. Serum potassium
Rationale: TSH is a major laboratory marker used to evaluate
thyroid function. In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland
does not produce adequate thyroid hormone, so the pituitary
generally responds by increasing TSH secretion. Monitoring TSH
helps evaluate the adequacy of levothyroxine replacement in
many clients.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperthyroidism and
develops a temperature of 40°C (104°F), severe tachycardia,
, agitation, and vomiting. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Myxedema coma
B. Thyroid storm
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Diabetes insipidus
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening exacerbation of
hyperthyroidism characterized by extreme hypermetabolism.
High fever, severe tachycardia, altered mental status,
gastrointestinal symptoms, hypertension or hypotension, and
heart failure can occur. Immediate treatment is required
because thyroid storm can rapidly become fatal.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has Graves disease. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Severe bradycardia
B. Weight gain and lethargy
C. Exophthalmos
D. Hyporeflexia
Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that
causes excessive thyroid stimulation and hyperthyroidism.
Ophthalmopathy may produce exophthalmos, eye irritation,
photophobia, and visual disturbances. Other common
