ATI CARE OF PATIENTS WITH PROBLEMS
OF THE THYROID AND PARATHYROID
GLANDS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS with explanations
GRADED A+ 2026 UPDATE!
The nurse reviews the vital signs of a client diagnosed with Graves'
disease and sees that the client's temperature is up to 99.6° F. After
notifying the health care provider, what does the nurse do next?
a) Administers acetaminophen
b) Alerts the Rapid Response Team
c) Asks any visitors to leave
d) Assesses the client's cardiac status completely ANSWER Correct
Answer: d
If the client's temperature has increased by even 1°, the nurse's first
action is to notify the provider. Continuous cardiac monitoring should
be the next step. Administering a nonsalicylate antipyretic such as
acetaminophen is appropriate, but is not a priority action for this client.
Alerting the Rapid Response Team is not needed at this time. Asking
visitors to leave would not be the next action, and if visitors are
providing comfort to the client, this would be contraindicated.
,A client is taking methimazole (Tapazole) for hyperthyroidism and
would like to know how soon this medication will begin working. What
is the nurse's best response?
a) "You should see effects of this medication immediately."
b) "You should see effects of this medication within 1 week."
c) "You should see full effects from this medication within 1 to 2 days."
d) "You should see some effects of this medication within 2 weeks."
ANSWER Correct Answer: d
Methimazole is an iodine preparation that decreases blood flow
through the thyroid gland. This action reduces the production and
release of thyroid hormone. The client should see some effects within 2
weeks; however, it may take several more weeks before metabolism
returns to normal. Although onset of action is 30 to 40 minutes after an
oral dose, the client will not see effects immediately. Effects will take
longer than 1 week to become apparent when methimazole is used.
Methimazole needs to be taken every 8 hours for an extended period
of time. Levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) will be
monitored and dosages adjusted as levels fall.
A nurse assesses a client with hyperthyroidism who is prescribed
lithium carbonate. Which assessment finding should alert the nurse to a
side effect of this therapy?
,a. Blurred and double vision
b. Increased thirst and urination
c. Profuse nausea and diarrhea
d. Decreased attention and insomnia ANSWER b. Increased thirst and
urination
ANS: B
Lithium antagonizes antidiuretic hormone and can cause symptoms of
diabetes insipidus. This manifests with increased thirst and urination.
Lithium has no effect on vision, gastric upset, or level of consciousness.
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a total thyroidectomy
and notes the development of stridor. Which action should the nurse
take first?
a. Reassure the client that the voice change is temporary.
b. Document the finding and assess the client hourly.
c. Place the client in high-Fowler's position and apply oxygen.
d. Contact the provider and prepare for intubation. ANSWER d.
Contact the provider and prepare for intubation.
ANS: D
Stridor on exhalation is a hallmark of respiratory distress, usually
caused by obstruction resulting from edema. One emergency measure
is to remove the surgical clips to relieve the pressure. This might be a
physician function. The nurse should prepare to assist with emergency
, intubation or tracheostomy while notifying the provider or the Rapid
Response Team. Stridor is an emergency situation; therefore,
reassuring the client, documenting, and reassessing in an hour do not
address the urgency of the situation. Oxygen should be applied, but this
action will not keep the airway open
A client with hypothyroidism is being discharged. Which environmental
change may the client experience in the home?
a) Frequent home care
b) Handrails in the bath
c) Increased thermostat setting
d) Strict infection-control measures ANSWER Correct Answer: c
Manifestations of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance. Increased
thermostat settings or additional clothing may be necessary. A client
with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be safely managed at home
with adequate discharge teaching regarding medications and
instructions on when to notify the health care provider or home health
nurse. In general, hypothyroidism does not cause mobility issues.
Activity intolerance and fatigue may be an issue, however. A client with
hypothyroidism is not immune-compromised or contagious, so no
environmental changes need to be made to the home.
OF THE THYROID AND PARATHYROID
GLANDS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS with explanations
GRADED A+ 2026 UPDATE!
The nurse reviews the vital signs of a client diagnosed with Graves'
disease and sees that the client's temperature is up to 99.6° F. After
notifying the health care provider, what does the nurse do next?
a) Administers acetaminophen
b) Alerts the Rapid Response Team
c) Asks any visitors to leave
d) Assesses the client's cardiac status completely ANSWER Correct
Answer: d
If the client's temperature has increased by even 1°, the nurse's first
action is to notify the provider. Continuous cardiac monitoring should
be the next step. Administering a nonsalicylate antipyretic such as
acetaminophen is appropriate, but is not a priority action for this client.
Alerting the Rapid Response Team is not needed at this time. Asking
visitors to leave would not be the next action, and if visitors are
providing comfort to the client, this would be contraindicated.
,A client is taking methimazole (Tapazole) for hyperthyroidism and
would like to know how soon this medication will begin working. What
is the nurse's best response?
a) "You should see effects of this medication immediately."
b) "You should see effects of this medication within 1 week."
c) "You should see full effects from this medication within 1 to 2 days."
d) "You should see some effects of this medication within 2 weeks."
ANSWER Correct Answer: d
Methimazole is an iodine preparation that decreases blood flow
through the thyroid gland. This action reduces the production and
release of thyroid hormone. The client should see some effects within 2
weeks; however, it may take several more weeks before metabolism
returns to normal. Although onset of action is 30 to 40 minutes after an
oral dose, the client will not see effects immediately. Effects will take
longer than 1 week to become apparent when methimazole is used.
Methimazole needs to be taken every 8 hours for an extended period
of time. Levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) will be
monitored and dosages adjusted as levels fall.
A nurse assesses a client with hyperthyroidism who is prescribed
lithium carbonate. Which assessment finding should alert the nurse to a
side effect of this therapy?
,a. Blurred and double vision
b. Increased thirst and urination
c. Profuse nausea and diarrhea
d. Decreased attention and insomnia ANSWER b. Increased thirst and
urination
ANS: B
Lithium antagonizes antidiuretic hormone and can cause symptoms of
diabetes insipidus. This manifests with increased thirst and urination.
Lithium has no effect on vision, gastric upset, or level of consciousness.
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a total thyroidectomy
and notes the development of stridor. Which action should the nurse
take first?
a. Reassure the client that the voice change is temporary.
b. Document the finding and assess the client hourly.
c. Place the client in high-Fowler's position and apply oxygen.
d. Contact the provider and prepare for intubation. ANSWER d.
Contact the provider and prepare for intubation.
ANS: D
Stridor on exhalation is a hallmark of respiratory distress, usually
caused by obstruction resulting from edema. One emergency measure
is to remove the surgical clips to relieve the pressure. This might be a
physician function. The nurse should prepare to assist with emergency
, intubation or tracheostomy while notifying the provider or the Rapid
Response Team. Stridor is an emergency situation; therefore,
reassuring the client, documenting, and reassessing in an hour do not
address the urgency of the situation. Oxygen should be applied, but this
action will not keep the airway open
A client with hypothyroidism is being discharged. Which environmental
change may the client experience in the home?
a) Frequent home care
b) Handrails in the bath
c) Increased thermostat setting
d) Strict infection-control measures ANSWER Correct Answer: c
Manifestations of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance. Increased
thermostat settings or additional clothing may be necessary. A client
with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be safely managed at home
with adequate discharge teaching regarding medications and
instructions on when to notify the health care provider or home health
nurse. In general, hypothyroidism does not cause mobility issues.
Activity intolerance and fatigue may be an issue, however. A client with
hypothyroidism is not immune-compromised or contagious, so no
environmental changes need to be made to the home.
