Chapter 41: Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In assessing a patient diagnosed with hypopituitarism, the nurse correlates the function of
which additional structure to determine the root cause of this disorder?
1. Cerebellum
2. Cerebrum
3. Hypothalamus
4. Medulla
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 1. Describing the epidemiology of pituitary disorders
Chapter page reference: 919
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Epidemiology
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation
Cognitive Level: Comprehension [Understanding]
Concept: Metabolism
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 The function of the cerebellum is on coordination, not endocrine activity.
2 The major role of the cerebrum is related to higher cognitive functions, not
endocrine functions.
3 The cause of anterior pituitary dysfunction is often secondary to damage to the
hypothalamus.
4 The parathyroid glands have a major role in calcium regulation and have no role
in the function of the pituitary gland.
PTS: 1 CON: Metabolism
2. A patient is demonstrating signs of hypopituitarism. The nurse monitors results from which
diagnostic test for this disorder?
1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
2. Lumbar puncture
3. Cerebral angiogram
4. Carotid Doppler studies
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 3. Describing the diagnostic results used to confirm the
diagnosis of pituitary disorders
Chapter page reference: 919-920
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Medical Management/Diagnosis
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Reduction of Risk Potential
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Concept: Assessment
, Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 If a tumor of the brain or pituitary is suspected, an MRI or computed
tomography (CT) scan of the head is part of the diagnostic evaluation.
2 A lumbar puncture is indicated for patients with suspected infectious processes
in the cerebrospinal fluid.
3 A cerebral angiogram is used to evaluate disorders impacting cerebrovascular
circulation such as cerebral aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations.
4 Carotid Doppler studies are used to examine for narrowing, blockage, or plague
formation in the carotid arteries.
PTS: 1 CON: Assessment
3. The nurse is reviewing medications prescribed for a patient with hypopituitarism. Which
medications are indicated for the treatment of this disorder?
1. Diuretics
2. Antibiotics
3. Antihypertensives
4. Electrolyte supplements
ANS: 4
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 4. Discussing the medical management of: Hypopituitarism
Chapter page reference: 920
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Medical Management/Medications
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Concept: Medication
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 Diuretics are not routinely prescribed for a patient with hypopituitarism.
2 Antibiotics are not required to treat hypopituitarism.
3 Antihypertensives are not routinely prescribed for a patient with
hypopituitarism.
4 Supportive therapies such as electrolyte replacement are the key to managing the
patient with hypopituitarism.
PTS: 1 CON: Medication
4. The nurse provides teaching to a patient who is newly diagnosed with hypopituitarism.
Which patient statement indicates that teaching was effective in relationship to medication
management?
1. “I will take my medication each evening.”
2. “I will take my medication each morning.”
3. “I will take my medication only as needed.”
4. “I will take my medication every other day.”
, ANS: 2
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 4. Discussing the medical management of hypopituitarism.
Chapter page reference: 921
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Nursing Interventions/Teaching
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation
Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Medication
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 This statement indicates the need for additional teaching because hormone
supplements are taken in the morning, not the evening, to mimic the normal
release of these hormones.
2 This statement indicates a correct understanding of the information presented.
Patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism are taught to take hormone supplements
in the morning to mimic the normal release of these hormones.
3 This statement indicates the need for additional teaching because hormone
supplements are taken each day (not as needed) in the morning to mimic the
normal release of these hormones.
4 This statement indicates the need for additional teaching because hormone
supplements are taken in the morning, not every other day.
PTS: 1 CON: Medication
5. The nurse incorporates which information into the patient teaching for a patient with
hypopituitarism?
1. “Avoid extremes in temperature.”
2. “Minimize your exposure to people with infections.”
3. “Increase foods containing high amounts of calcium.”
4. “Increase rest periods throughout the day.”
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 6. Designing a plan of care that includes pharmacological,
dietary, and lifestyle considerations for patients with pituitary disorders
Chapter page reference: 921
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Nursing Interventions/Actions
Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Metabolism
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 The patient with hypopituitarism does not need to avoid extremes in
temperature.
2 The patient with hypopituitarism is not at risk for infections.
3 The nurse should instruct the patient on ways to increase calcium intake because
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In assessing a patient diagnosed with hypopituitarism, the nurse correlates the function of
which additional structure to determine the root cause of this disorder?
1. Cerebellum
2. Cerebrum
3. Hypothalamus
4. Medulla
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 1. Describing the epidemiology of pituitary disorders
Chapter page reference: 919
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Epidemiology
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation
Cognitive Level: Comprehension [Understanding]
Concept: Metabolism
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 The function of the cerebellum is on coordination, not endocrine activity.
2 The major role of the cerebrum is related to higher cognitive functions, not
endocrine functions.
3 The cause of anterior pituitary dysfunction is often secondary to damage to the
hypothalamus.
4 The parathyroid glands have a major role in calcium regulation and have no role
in the function of the pituitary gland.
PTS: 1 CON: Metabolism
2. A patient is demonstrating signs of hypopituitarism. The nurse monitors results from which
diagnostic test for this disorder?
1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
2. Lumbar puncture
3. Cerebral angiogram
4. Carotid Doppler studies
ANS: 1
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 3. Describing the diagnostic results used to confirm the
diagnosis of pituitary disorders
Chapter page reference: 919-920
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Medical Management/Diagnosis
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Reduction of Risk Potential
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Concept: Assessment
, Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 If a tumor of the brain or pituitary is suspected, an MRI or computed
tomography (CT) scan of the head is part of the diagnostic evaluation.
2 A lumbar puncture is indicated for patients with suspected infectious processes
in the cerebrospinal fluid.
3 A cerebral angiogram is used to evaluate disorders impacting cerebrovascular
circulation such as cerebral aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations.
4 Carotid Doppler studies are used to examine for narrowing, blockage, or plague
formation in the carotid arteries.
PTS: 1 CON: Assessment
3. The nurse is reviewing medications prescribed for a patient with hypopituitarism. Which
medications are indicated for the treatment of this disorder?
1. Diuretics
2. Antibiotics
3. Antihypertensives
4. Electrolyte supplements
ANS: 4
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 4. Discussing the medical management of: Hypopituitarism
Chapter page reference: 920
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Medical Management/Medications
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Concept: Medication
Difficulty: Easy
Feedback
1 Diuretics are not routinely prescribed for a patient with hypopituitarism.
2 Antibiotics are not required to treat hypopituitarism.
3 Antihypertensives are not routinely prescribed for a patient with
hypopituitarism.
4 Supportive therapies such as electrolyte replacement are the key to managing the
patient with hypopituitarism.
PTS: 1 CON: Medication
4. The nurse provides teaching to a patient who is newly diagnosed with hypopituitarism.
Which patient statement indicates that teaching was effective in relationship to medication
management?
1. “I will take my medication each evening.”
2. “I will take my medication each morning.”
3. “I will take my medication only as needed.”
4. “I will take my medication every other day.”
, ANS: 2
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 4. Discussing the medical management of hypopituitarism.
Chapter page reference: 921
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Nursing Interventions/Teaching
Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation
Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Medication
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 This statement indicates the need for additional teaching because hormone
supplements are taken in the morning, not the evening, to mimic the normal
release of these hormones.
2 This statement indicates a correct understanding of the information presented.
Patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism are taught to take hormone supplements
in the morning to mimic the normal release of these hormones.
3 This statement indicates the need for additional teaching because hormone
supplements are taken each day (not as needed) in the morning to mimic the
normal release of these hormones.
4 This statement indicates the need for additional teaching because hormone
supplements are taken in the morning, not every other day.
PTS: 1 CON: Medication
5. The nurse incorporates which information into the patient teaching for a patient with
hypopituitarism?
1. “Avoid extremes in temperature.”
2. “Minimize your exposure to people with infections.”
3. “Increase foods containing high amounts of calcium.”
4. “Increase rest periods throughout the day.”
ANS: 3
Chapter number and title: 41, Coordinating Care for Patients with Pituitary Disorders
Chapter learning objective: 6. Designing a plan of care that includes pharmacological,
dietary, and lifestyle considerations for patients with pituitary disorders
Chapter page reference: 921
Heading: Hypopituitarism/Nursing Interventions/Actions
Integrated Processes: Teaching and Learning
Client Need: Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort
Cognitive Level: Application [Applying]
Concept: Metabolism
Difficulty: Moderate
Feedback
1 The patient with hypopituitarism does not need to avoid extremes in
temperature.
2 The patient with hypopituitarism is not at risk for infections.
3 The nurse should instruct the patient on ways to increase calcium intake because
