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Hypertrophy - Answers Enlarged cells
Hyperplasia - Answers Increased number of cells
In Graves disease, - Answers hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the thyroid may cause the gland to
grow to two to three times its normal size.
If the thyroid is retrosternal, - Answers goiters may not be visual so it is important to assess for
difficulty swallowing.
When the nurse places the hands on the thyroid, - Answers they feel the increased blood flow of
the thyroid (thrills).
Thrills are described as sensation of - Answers a purring cat.
Bruit - Answers Blowing of whooshing sound.
What does a bruit sound during auscultation of the thyroid signify? - Answers Turbulent blood
flow and may be found on one side or the entire gland.
DX - Anterior pituitary - Answers CT and MRI detects tumors; Serum hormone levels (TSH, ACTH)
DX - Posterior pituitary - Answers plasma & urine osmolality
DX - Thyroid - Answers TSH, T3, T4, radioactive iodine uptake test, needle aspiration biopsy
DX - Parathyroid - Answers PTH levels, bone density, serum calcium
DX - Adrenal medulla - Answers suppression testing, CT, MRI, ultrasound
DX - Adrenal cortex - Answers serum cortisol levels, sodium and potassium levels; suppression
testing, plasma and urinary cortisol testing
Gerontologic Age-related changes - Thyroid - Answers Atrophy and fibrosis of the thyroid gland
with decreased activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in decreased basal metabolic rate.
Reduced uptake of radioactive iodine and decreased secretion and release of thyrotropin.
Increased nodularity of the thyroid.
Gerontologic Age-related changes - Parathyroid gland - Answers Decreased absorption and
activation of vitamin D.
Decreased absorption and activation of vitamin D leads to - Answers increased loss of bone
minerals and decreased bone mass.
, ACTH - Answers adrenocorticotropic hormone
Gerontologic Age-related changes - Adrenal gland - Answers Decreased adrenal function;
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion decreases with age with resultant decreased
estrogen, progesterone, androgen, and glucocorticoids.
TSH - Answers thyroid-stimulating hormone
FSH - Answers Follicle-stimulating hormone
LH - Answers Luteinizing hormone, ovulation and egg release, maturation of egg, release of
testosterone in males.
Gerontologic Age-related changes - Pituitary gland - Answers The volume of the pituitary
decreases.
Decreased ACTH, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),
luteinizing hormone (LH)
Gerontologic Age-related changes - Pancreas - Answers Decreases secretion of insulin and
decreases sensitivity to circulating insulin, resulting in reduced ability to metabolize glucose.
Gerontologic H&P findings - Thyroid - Answers Cold intolerance
Decreased appetite
Decreased vital signs
Gerontologic H&P findings - Parathyroid gland - Answers Increased risk of fractures
Gerontologic H&P findings - Adrenal gland - Answers Increased incidence of osteoporosis
Perineal and vaginal dryness
Fragile skin tissue
Gerontologic H&P findings - Pituitary gland - Answers Decreased muscle mass
Decreased strength and energy tolerance
Thin and dry skin
The nurse is interviewing a female patient for a possible thyroid problem. What questions would
be important for the nurse to ask the patient? - Answers Changes in: weight, appetite, bowel
movements, heart rate, respirations
Tremors, impaired memory, slowed thought processes
Intolerance to heat or cold