NR507 Nur se Pr actition er W eek 5 – H ypothyr oidism Case Study | NR507 |
Ch am ber lain Un iversity | Com plete Case Study an d Pathophysiology
Assign m ent
, Descr ibe th e pa th o ph ysio lo gy o f th e ch ose n co nd itio n . W h a t is th e
co n ditio n ’s e tio lo gy, sign s a n d sym pto m s, co m plica tio n s, a n d r isk
factor s?
Hypothyroidism is a result of deficient production of the thyroid hormone
from the thyroid gland. The most common variation is primary
hypothyroidism, which is often caused by one of the following:
autoimmune thyroiditis, iatrogenic loss of thyroid tissue after surgical or
radioactive treatment for hyperthyroidism or after head and neck radiation
therapy, medications, and iodine deficiency. Thyroid disorders can be
genetic or environmental and affect all body systems. This means that there
can also be a broad range of clinical manifestations- neurological changes
such as confusion, syncope, or slowed speech and thinking can occur as
well as integumentary symptoms including dry, flaky skin, brittle hair,
reduced nail growth, and slow wound healing. Individuals may also
experience muscle aching and stiffness, cold intolerance, constipation,
weight gain, dyspnea, and anemia. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to
severe health complications, the most common being myxedema coma; this
is considered a medical emergency and is classified by a diminished level of
consciousness associated with severe hypothyroidism. Signs and symptoms
include hypothermia without shivering, hypoventilation, hypotension,
hypoglycemia, and lactic acidosis. Older individuals that are particularly at
risk for development of myxedema coma have comorbid conditions, such as
pulmonary or urinary infections, congestive heart failure, or
cerebrovascular accident. Other relevant complications include heart
problems, goiter, nerve damage, and infertility. (Rogers, 2023)
Risk factors for hypothyroidism include age, genetics, gender (female),
autoimmune disorders, thyroid surgery, certain medications, or radiation
therapy. Other, less common causes, include congenital abnormalities,
pituitary disorders, and iodine deficiency.
Discu ss ho w th e co n d itio n is dia gn o se d . W h a t a r e r eleva n t
a ssessm en t fi ndin gs, la b s, a n d im a gin g stu die s?
Diagnosing hypothyroidism generally involves documentation of the clinical
Ch am ber lain Un iversity | Com plete Case Study an d Pathophysiology
Assign m ent
, Descr ibe th e pa th o ph ysio lo gy o f th e ch ose n co nd itio n . W h a t is th e
co n ditio n ’s e tio lo gy, sign s a n d sym pto m s, co m plica tio n s, a n d r isk
factor s?
Hypothyroidism is a result of deficient production of the thyroid hormone
from the thyroid gland. The most common variation is primary
hypothyroidism, which is often caused by one of the following:
autoimmune thyroiditis, iatrogenic loss of thyroid tissue after surgical or
radioactive treatment for hyperthyroidism or after head and neck radiation
therapy, medications, and iodine deficiency. Thyroid disorders can be
genetic or environmental and affect all body systems. This means that there
can also be a broad range of clinical manifestations- neurological changes
such as confusion, syncope, or slowed speech and thinking can occur as
well as integumentary symptoms including dry, flaky skin, brittle hair,
reduced nail growth, and slow wound healing. Individuals may also
experience muscle aching and stiffness, cold intolerance, constipation,
weight gain, dyspnea, and anemia. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to
severe health complications, the most common being myxedema coma; this
is considered a medical emergency and is classified by a diminished level of
consciousness associated with severe hypothyroidism. Signs and symptoms
include hypothermia without shivering, hypoventilation, hypotension,
hypoglycemia, and lactic acidosis. Older individuals that are particularly at
risk for development of myxedema coma have comorbid conditions, such as
pulmonary or urinary infections, congestive heart failure, or
cerebrovascular accident. Other relevant complications include heart
problems, goiter, nerve damage, and infertility. (Rogers, 2023)
Risk factors for hypothyroidism include age, genetics, gender (female),
autoimmune disorders, thyroid surgery, certain medications, or radiation
therapy. Other, less common causes, include congenital abnormalities,
pituitary disorders, and iodine deficiency.
Discu ss ho w th e co n d itio n is dia gn o se d . W h a t a r e r eleva n t
a ssessm en t fi ndin gs, la b s, a n d im a gin g stu die s?
Diagnosing hypothyroidism generally involves documentation of the clinical
