A Child with Endocrine Dysfunction; QUESTION AND ANSWER RATIONALE

MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Parents of a toddler with hypopituitarism ask the nurse, “What can we expect with this condition?” The nurse should respond with which statement? a. Growth is normal during the first 3 years of life. b. Weight is usually more retarded than height. c. Skeletal proportions are normal for age. d. Most of these children have subnormal intelligence. ANS: C In children with hypopituitarism, the skeletal proportions are normal. Growth is within normal limits for the first year of life. Height is usually more delayed than weight. Intelligence is not affected by hypopituitarism. 2. A child with hypopituitarism is being started on growth hormone (GH) therapy. Nursing considerations should be based on which knowledge? a. Treatment is most successful if it is started during adolescence. b. Treatment is considered successful if children attain full stature by adulthood. c. Replacement therapy requires daily subcutaneous injections. d. Replacement therapy will be required throughout the child’s lifetime. ANS: C Additional support is required for children who require hormone replacement therapy, such as preparation for daily subcutaneous injections and education for self-management during the school-age years. Young children, obese children, and those who are severely GH deficient have the best response to therapy. When therapy is successful, children can attain their actual or near-final adult height at a slower rate than their peers. Replacement therapy is not needed after attaining final height. They are no longer GH deficient. 3. A child with growth hormone (GH) deficiency is receiving GH therapy. When is the best time for the GH to be administered? a. At bedtime b. After meals c. Before meals d. On arising in the morning ANS: A Injections are best given at bedtime to more closely approximate the physiologic release of GH. After or before meals and on arising in the morning do not mimic the physiologic release of the hormone. 4. An adolescent is being seen in the clinic for evaluation of acromegaly. The nurse understands that which occurs with acromegaly? a. There is a lack of growth hormone (GH) being produced. b. There is excess growth hormone (GH) after closure of the epiphyseal plates. c. There is an excess of growth hormone (GH) before the closure of the epiphyseal plates. d. There is a lack of thyroid hormone being produced. ANS: B Excess GH after closure of the epiphyseal plates results in acromegaly. A lack of growth hormone results in delayed growth or even dwarfism. Gigantism occurs when there is hypersecretion of GH before the closure of the epiphyseal plates. Cretinism is associated with hypothyroidism. 5. A child will start treatment for precocious puberty. The nurse recognizes that this will involve the injection of which synthetic medication? a. Thyrotropin b. Gonadotropins c. Somatotropic hormone d. Luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone ANS: D Precocious puberty of central origin is treated with monthly subcutaneous injections of luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone. Thyrotropin, gonadotropins, and somatotropic hormone are not the appropriate therapies for precocious puberty. 6. The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on childhood endocrine disorders. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of: a. anterior pituitary. b. posterior pituitary. c. adrenal cortex. d. adrenal medulla. ANS: B The principal disorder of posterior pituitary hypofunction is diabetes insipidus. The anterior pituitary produces hormones such as GH, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, gonadotropin, prolactin, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The adrenal cortex produces aldosterone, sex hormones, and glucocorticoids. The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines. 7. The nurse is caring for a preschool child with suspected diabetes insipidus. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to observe? a. Oliguria b. Glycosuria c. Nausea and vomiting d. Polyuria and polydipsia ANS: D Excessive urination accompanied by insatiable thirst is the primary clinical manifestation of diabetes. These symptoms may be so severe that the child does little other than drink and urinate. Oliguria is decreased urine production and is not associated with diabetes insipidus. Glycosuria is associated with diabetes mellitus. Nausea and vomiting are associated with inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: 980 TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Area of Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation 8. A nasal spray of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is used to treat which disorder? a. Hypopituitarism b. Diabetes insipidus c. Acute adrenocortical insufficiency d. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone ANS: B The drug of choice for the treatment of diabetes insipidus is DDAVP, which is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin. DDAVP is not used to treat hypopituitarism, acute adrenocortical insufficiency, or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: 981 TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Area of Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapy 9. The nurse is admitting a toddler with the diagnosis of juvenile hypothyroidism. Which is a common clinical manifestation of this disorder? a. Insomnia b. Diarrhea c. Dry skin d. Accelerated growth ANS: C Dry skin, mental decline, and myxedematous skin changes are associated with juvenile hypothyroidism. Children with hypothyroidism are usually sleepy. Constipation is associated with hypothyroidism. Decelerated growth is common in juvenile hypothyroidism. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: 982 TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Area of Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation 10. A goiter is an enlargement or hypertrophy of which gland? a. Thyroid b. Adrenal c. Anterior pituitary d. Posterior pituitary ANS: A A goiter is an enlargement or hypertrophy of the thyroid gland. Goiter is not associated with the adrenal, anterior pituitary, or posterior pituitary organs. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember REF: 982 TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Area of Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation