NURSING 3 FINAL - ENDOCRINE QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. A patient undergoes surgical resection of a thyroid tumor. Immediately
following surgery, which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Assessing the surgical site for hemorrhage
B. Supporting the head to prevent stress on the suture line
C. Monitoring respiratory status for sign of obstruction
D. Asking the patient to speak to assess for hoarseness correct answer Answer: C
Rationale: In the post-operative period after thyroidectomy, the patient is at risk
for respiratory compromise secondary to the location of the incision (neck),
potential for postoperative edema potentially compressing the trachea, and
inability to maintain airway.
1. In assessing a patient with an alteration in thyroid function, the nurse must
understand that TRH release is from which structure?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Thyroid gland correct answer Answer: A
Rationale: Thyroid function is controlled through the coordinated activities of the
hypothalamus that secretes TRH what in turn acts on the anterior pituitary.
1. The function of the adrenal glands is under the direct control of which
structure?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
,C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Sympathetic nervous system correct answer Answer: B
1. The functions of the thyroid glands are under the direct control of which
structure?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Hippocampus correct answer Answer: B
1. The nurse correlates primary hypercortisolism to dysfunction of which gland?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Adrenal medulla correct answer Answer: C
Rationale: Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid released from the adrenal cortex.
Primary endocrine disorders are associated with the endocrine gland, and in this
example, the adrenal cortex. Secondary endocrine disorders are related to
anterior pituitary gland dysfunction, and tertiary disorders are related to
hypothalamic dysfunction. The adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine and
norepinephrine.
1. The nurse documents glucose in the urine as which finding?
A. Polyuria
B. Glucosuria
C. Hyperglycemia
,D. Hyperosmolarity correct answer Answer: B
Rationale: Glucosuria is glucose in the urine. Polyuria is excessive urine output.
Hyperglycemia is high serum glucose and hyperosmolarity is increased body fluid
osmolality or concentration.
1. The nurse includes which information in the teaching plan for Mrs. Simpson?
A. Insulin administration
B. Once-a-day blood glucose monitoring
C. Carbohydrate counting
D. Monitoring for infection correct answer Answer: D
Rationale: Infection may increase Mrs. Simpson's insulin needs. She should not go
home on insulin and should monitor her glucose levels more than once/day.
Carbohydrate counting is more typically done with type I DM.
1. The nurse notes that which disorder places the patient at greatest risk for
hypertensive crisis?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Pheochromocytoma
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Adrenal insufficiency correct answer Answer: B
Rationale: Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine secreting tumors of the
adrenal medulla. Because of excessive catecholamine secretion,
pheochromocytomas may precipitate life-threatening hypertension or cardiac
arrhythmias. Hypothyroidism results in sluggish metabolism. Diabetes insipidus
may lead to hypovolemia and hypotension secondary to large losses of dilute
urine. Patients with adrenal insufficiency are at risk for hypovolemia secondary to
sodium and water losses due to lack of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.
, 1. The nurse recognizes that which hormones are produced by the posterior
pituitary gland? (Select all that apply.)
A. ACTH
B. Vasopressin
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone
D. Oxytocin
E. Growth hormone correct answer Answer: B and D
Rationale: Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin are secreted by the
posterior pituitary gland. ACTH, TSH, and growth hormone are released from the
anterior pituitary gland.
1. Upon review of Ms. Andrews' admission clinical presentation, which clinical
manifestations are most related to excessive growth hormone?
A. Headache
B. Enlarged hands
C. Visual changes
D. Nausea correct answer Answer: B
Rationale: An excess of growth hormone in adults does not affect bone length
because of closure of the epiphyses but does affect bone density, and acromegaly
(thickening of bones, particularly of the hands, feet, and facial bones) may
develop.
1. Which hormones are secreted from the anterior pituitary gland? (Select all that
apply.)
A. ACTH
B. Cortisol
C. Follicle stimulating hormone
ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. A patient undergoes surgical resection of a thyroid tumor. Immediately
following surgery, which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Assessing the surgical site for hemorrhage
B. Supporting the head to prevent stress on the suture line
C. Monitoring respiratory status for sign of obstruction
D. Asking the patient to speak to assess for hoarseness correct answer Answer: C
Rationale: In the post-operative period after thyroidectomy, the patient is at risk
for respiratory compromise secondary to the location of the incision (neck),
potential for postoperative edema potentially compressing the trachea, and
inability to maintain airway.
1. In assessing a patient with an alteration in thyroid function, the nurse must
understand that TRH release is from which structure?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Thyroid gland correct answer Answer: A
Rationale: Thyroid function is controlled through the coordinated activities of the
hypothalamus that secretes TRH what in turn acts on the anterior pituitary.
1. The function of the adrenal glands is under the direct control of which
structure?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
,C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Sympathetic nervous system correct answer Answer: B
1. The functions of the thyroid glands are under the direct control of which
structure?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
C. Posterior pituitary gland
D. Hippocampus correct answer Answer: B
1. The nurse correlates primary hypercortisolism to dysfunction of which gland?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary gland
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Adrenal medulla correct answer Answer: C
Rationale: Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid released from the adrenal cortex.
Primary endocrine disorders are associated with the endocrine gland, and in this
example, the adrenal cortex. Secondary endocrine disorders are related to
anterior pituitary gland dysfunction, and tertiary disorders are related to
hypothalamic dysfunction. The adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine and
norepinephrine.
1. The nurse documents glucose in the urine as which finding?
A. Polyuria
B. Glucosuria
C. Hyperglycemia
,D. Hyperosmolarity correct answer Answer: B
Rationale: Glucosuria is glucose in the urine. Polyuria is excessive urine output.
Hyperglycemia is high serum glucose and hyperosmolarity is increased body fluid
osmolality or concentration.
1. The nurse includes which information in the teaching plan for Mrs. Simpson?
A. Insulin administration
B. Once-a-day blood glucose monitoring
C. Carbohydrate counting
D. Monitoring for infection correct answer Answer: D
Rationale: Infection may increase Mrs. Simpson's insulin needs. She should not go
home on insulin and should monitor her glucose levels more than once/day.
Carbohydrate counting is more typically done with type I DM.
1. The nurse notes that which disorder places the patient at greatest risk for
hypertensive crisis?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Pheochromocytoma
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Adrenal insufficiency correct answer Answer: B
Rationale: Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine secreting tumors of the
adrenal medulla. Because of excessive catecholamine secretion,
pheochromocytomas may precipitate life-threatening hypertension or cardiac
arrhythmias. Hypothyroidism results in sluggish metabolism. Diabetes insipidus
may lead to hypovolemia and hypotension secondary to large losses of dilute
urine. Patients with adrenal insufficiency are at risk for hypovolemia secondary to
sodium and water losses due to lack of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.
, 1. The nurse recognizes that which hormones are produced by the posterior
pituitary gland? (Select all that apply.)
A. ACTH
B. Vasopressin
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone
D. Oxytocin
E. Growth hormone correct answer Answer: B and D
Rationale: Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin are secreted by the
posterior pituitary gland. ACTH, TSH, and growth hormone are released from the
anterior pituitary gland.
1. Upon review of Ms. Andrews' admission clinical presentation, which clinical
manifestations are most related to excessive growth hormone?
A. Headache
B. Enlarged hands
C. Visual changes
D. Nausea correct answer Answer: B
Rationale: An excess of growth hormone in adults does not affect bone length
because of closure of the epiphyses but does affect bone density, and acromegaly
(thickening of bones, particularly of the hands, feet, and facial bones) may
develop.
1. Which hormones are secreted from the anterior pituitary gland? (Select all that
apply.)
A. ACTH
B. Cortisol
C. Follicle stimulating hormone
