MGCCC Nursing 2 Endocrine Exam Questions
With Complete Solutions
Course
MGCCC
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
findings would indicate that the patient's blood sugar level is dangerously low?
A. Polyuria
B. Tachycardia and shakiness
C. Increased thirst
D. Polyphagia
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Tachycardia and shakiness are classic signs of hypoglycemia, which occurs when the blood
glucose level falls too low. Polyuria, increased thirst, and polyphagia are more commonly
associated with hyperglycemia.
2. A nurse is educating a patient with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism. Which of
the following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will need to take thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of my life."
B. "I can stop taking my medication if I feel better."
C. "I should monitor my weight regularly to check for weight changes."
D. "I will report any symptoms of chest pain or palpitations to my doctor."
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The patient with hypothyroidism must continue taking thyroid hormone replacement even
after feeling better, as stopping the medication can lead to worsening of symptoms. The other
statements are correct and indicate appropriate understanding of the disease and treatment plan.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with hyperthyroidism. Which of the following
findings would be consistent with this condition?
A. Weight gain and fatigue
B. Dry skin and constipation
,C. Increased heart rate and nervousness
D. Cold intolerance and muscle weakness
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Hyperthyroidism leads to an increased metabolic rate, resulting in symptoms like weight loss,
increased heart rate, and nervousness. Weight gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance,
and muscle weakness are more typical of hypothyroidism.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a total thyroidectomy.
Which of the following complications should the nurse monitor for
postoperatively?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
After a total thyroidectomy, the nurse should monitor for hypocalcemia, which can occur if the
parathyroid glands are inadvertently damaged or removed. The other conditions are not directly
related to a thyroidectomy.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Weight loss and dehydration
B. Thin skin, bruising, and abdominal striae
C. Bradycardia and weight loss
D. Decreased facial hair and hypotension
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Cushing's syndrome is characterized by excess cortisol production. Common signs include
thin skin, easy bruising, and abdominal striae (stretch marks). Weight loss and dehydration
are more indicative of Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency). Bradycardia and decreased
facial hair are not typical of Cushing's syndrome.
,6. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison’s disease. Which of the following
should the nurse include in the patient’s teaching plan?
A. "You should increase your sodium intake during times of stress."
B. "You will need to take corticosteroids for the rest of your life."
C. "You can stop taking your medication if you feel better."
D. "Your condition will resolve once you start the medication."
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Addison’s disease involves adrenal insufficiency, so the patient will require lifelong
corticosteroid therapy. The other statements are incorrect; the patient should never stop
medication without medical guidance and increase sodium intake only as instructed by the
doctor, especially in times of stress.
7. Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient with diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Administering insulin IV to lower blood glucose levels
B. Providing oral fluids to rehydrate the patient
C. Administering corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
D. Initiating a low-sodium diet
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The priority intervention for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is administering insulin to lower
blood glucose levels. Rehydration (with IV fluids) is also important, but the first priority is
controlling hyperglycemia. Corticosteroids are not indicated for DKA, and a low-sodium diet is
not part of the initial treatment.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a patient with type 1 diabetes.
The nurse notices that the insulin vial appears cloudy. What should the nurse
do?
A. Administer the insulin as it is, since it is safe to use.
B. Shake the vial vigorously to mix the insulin.
, C. Inspect the vial for expiration date and if still in date, discard the insulin.
D. Roll the vial gently to mix the insulin before administering.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Insulin that is cloudy is typically NPH (neutral protamine Hagedorn) insulin, which must be
rolled gently to mix it, not shaken vigorously. Shaking can damage the insulin molecules.
Cloudy insulin is acceptable for use if within date and properly mixed.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about self-monitoring of
blood glucose levels. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates
the need for further teaching?
A. "I will check my blood sugar before meals and two hours after eating."
B. "I should check my blood sugar if I feel dizzy or weak."
C. "It is important to check my blood sugar only when I feel unwell."
D. "I will write down my blood sugar levels in a logbook to show my doctor."
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The patient should check their blood glucose regularly, even when they feel well, to maintain
good control. It is not advisable to check blood glucose only when feeling unwell, as this could
lead to undetected fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with pheochromocytoma. Which of the
following interventions is most important to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Administering corticosteroids to decrease inflammation
B. Encouraging high-fiber foods to prevent constipation
C. Monitoring blood pressure and avoiding stress
D. Administering beta-blockers for heart rate control
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
In pheochromocytoma, a tumor of the adrenal medulla, monitoring blood pressure and
avoiding stress are critical in preventing a hypertensive crisis, as the tumor can cause excessive
secretion of catecholamines (like adrenaline). Corticosteroids, high-fiber foods, and beta-
blockers are not the primary interventions.
With Complete Solutions
Course
MGCCC
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
findings would indicate that the patient's blood sugar level is dangerously low?
A. Polyuria
B. Tachycardia and shakiness
C. Increased thirst
D. Polyphagia
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Tachycardia and shakiness are classic signs of hypoglycemia, which occurs when the blood
glucose level falls too low. Polyuria, increased thirst, and polyphagia are more commonly
associated with hyperglycemia.
2. A nurse is educating a patient with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism. Which of
the following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will need to take thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of my life."
B. "I can stop taking my medication if I feel better."
C. "I should monitor my weight regularly to check for weight changes."
D. "I will report any symptoms of chest pain or palpitations to my doctor."
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The patient with hypothyroidism must continue taking thyroid hormone replacement even
after feeling better, as stopping the medication can lead to worsening of symptoms. The other
statements are correct and indicate appropriate understanding of the disease and treatment plan.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with hyperthyroidism. Which of the following
findings would be consistent with this condition?
A. Weight gain and fatigue
B. Dry skin and constipation
,C. Increased heart rate and nervousness
D. Cold intolerance and muscle weakness
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Hyperthyroidism leads to an increased metabolic rate, resulting in symptoms like weight loss,
increased heart rate, and nervousness. Weight gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance,
and muscle weakness are more typical of hypothyroidism.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone a total thyroidectomy.
Which of the following complications should the nurse monitor for
postoperatively?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
After a total thyroidectomy, the nurse should monitor for hypocalcemia, which can occur if the
parathyroid glands are inadvertently damaged or removed. The other conditions are not directly
related to a thyroidectomy.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to find?
A. Weight loss and dehydration
B. Thin skin, bruising, and abdominal striae
C. Bradycardia and weight loss
D. Decreased facial hair and hypotension
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Cushing's syndrome is characterized by excess cortisol production. Common signs include
thin skin, easy bruising, and abdominal striae (stretch marks). Weight loss and dehydration
are more indicative of Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency). Bradycardia and decreased
facial hair are not typical of Cushing's syndrome.
,6. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison’s disease. Which of the following
should the nurse include in the patient’s teaching plan?
A. "You should increase your sodium intake during times of stress."
B. "You will need to take corticosteroids for the rest of your life."
C. "You can stop taking your medication if you feel better."
D. "Your condition will resolve once you start the medication."
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Addison’s disease involves adrenal insufficiency, so the patient will require lifelong
corticosteroid therapy. The other statements are incorrect; the patient should never stop
medication without medical guidance and increase sodium intake only as instructed by the
doctor, especially in times of stress.
7. Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient with diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Administering insulin IV to lower blood glucose levels
B. Providing oral fluids to rehydrate the patient
C. Administering corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
D. Initiating a low-sodium diet
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The priority intervention for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is administering insulin to lower
blood glucose levels. Rehydration (with IV fluids) is also important, but the first priority is
controlling hyperglycemia. Corticosteroids are not indicated for DKA, and a low-sodium diet is
not part of the initial treatment.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a patient with type 1 diabetes.
The nurse notices that the insulin vial appears cloudy. What should the nurse
do?
A. Administer the insulin as it is, since it is safe to use.
B. Shake the vial vigorously to mix the insulin.
, C. Inspect the vial for expiration date and if still in date, discard the insulin.
D. Roll the vial gently to mix the insulin before administering.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Insulin that is cloudy is typically NPH (neutral protamine Hagedorn) insulin, which must be
rolled gently to mix it, not shaken vigorously. Shaking can damage the insulin molecules.
Cloudy insulin is acceptable for use if within date and properly mixed.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient with type 2 diabetes about self-monitoring of
blood glucose levels. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates
the need for further teaching?
A. "I will check my blood sugar before meals and two hours after eating."
B. "I should check my blood sugar if I feel dizzy or weak."
C. "It is important to check my blood sugar only when I feel unwell."
D. "I will write down my blood sugar levels in a logbook to show my doctor."
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The patient should check their blood glucose regularly, even when they feel well, to maintain
good control. It is not advisable to check blood glucose only when feeling unwell, as this could
lead to undetected fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with pheochromocytoma. Which of the
following interventions is most important to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Administering corticosteroids to decrease inflammation
B. Encouraging high-fiber foods to prevent constipation
C. Monitoring blood pressure and avoiding stress
D. Administering beta-blockers for heart rate control
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
In pheochromocytoma, a tumor of the adrenal medulla, monitoring blood pressure and
avoiding stress are critical in preventing a hypertensive crisis, as the tumor can cause excessive
secretion of catecholamines (like adrenaline). Corticosteroids, high-fiber foods, and beta-
blockers are not the primary interventions.
