Endocrine NCLEX.

Endocrine NCLEX. A nurse is collecting data regarding a client after a thyroidectomy and notes that the client has developed hoarseness and a weak voice. Which nursing action is appropriate? - 1. Check for signs of bleeding. 2. Administer calcium gluconate. 3. Notify the registered nurse immediately. *4. Reassure the client that this is usually a temporary condition.* *rationale* Weakness and hoarseness of the voice can occur as a result of trauma of the laryngeal nerve. If this develops, the client should be reassured that the problem will subside in a few days. Unnecessary talking should be discouraged. It is not necessary to notify the registered nurse immediately. These signs do not indicate bleeding or the need to administer calcium gluconate. A nurse is assisting with preparing a teaching plan for the client with diabetes mellitus regarding proper foot care. Which instruction should be included in the plan of care? - 1. Soak the feet in hot water. 2. Avoid using soap to wash the feet. *3. Apply a moisturizing lotion to dry feet, but not between the toes.* 4. Always have a podiatrist cut your toenails; never cut them yourself. *rationale* The client should use a moisturizing lotion on his or her feet, but should avoid applying the lotion between the toes. The client should also be instructed to not soak the feet and to avoid hot water to prevent burns. The client may cut the toenails straight across and even with the toe itself, but he or she should consult a podiatrist if the toenails are thick or hard to cut or if his or her vision is poor. The client should be instructed to wash the feet daily with a mild soap. A nurse provides dietary instructions to a client with diabetes mellitus regarding the prescribed diabetic diet. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates the need for further teaching? - 1. "I'll eat a balanced meal plan." 2. "I need to drink diet soft drinks." *3. "I need to buy special dietetic foods."* 4. "I will snack on fruit instead of cake." *rationale* It is important to emphasize to the client and family that they are not eating a diabetic diet but rather following a balanced meal plan. Adherence to nutrition principles is an important component of diabetic management, and an individualized meal plan should be developed for the client. It is not necessary for the client to purchase special dietetic foods. A nurse reinforces teaching with a client with diabetes mellitus regarding differentiating between hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis. The client demonstrates an understanding of the teaching by stating that glucose will be taken if which symptom develops? - 1. Polyuria *2. Shakiness* 3. Blurred vision 4. Fruity breath odor *rationale* Shakiness is a sign of hypoglycemia, and it would indicate the need for food or glucose. Fruity breath odor, blurred vision, and polyuria are signs of hyperglycemia. When the nurse is teaching a client who has been newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus, which statement by the client would indicate that teaching has been effective? - 1. "I will stop taking my insulin if I'm too sick to eat." 2. "I will decrease my insulin dose during times of illness." 3. "I will adjust my insulin dose according to the level of glucose in my urine." *4. "I will notify my health care provider if my blood glucose level is greater than 250 mg/dL."* *rationale* During illness, the client should monitor the blood glucose level, and he or she should notify the health care provider (HCP) if the level is greater than 250 mg/dL. Insulin should never be stopped. In fact, insulin may need to be increased during times of illness. Doses should not be adjusted without the HCP's advice. A nurse is monitoring a client who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus for signs of complications. Which of the following, if exhibited by the client, would indicate hyperglycemia and thus warrant health care provider notification? - *1. Polyuria* 2. Bradycardia 3. Diaphoresis 4. Hypertension *rationale* The classic symptoms of hyperglycemia include polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not signs of hyperglycemia. A nurse is reinforcing instructions with a client with diabetes mellitus who is recovering from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) regarding measures to prevent a recurrence. Which instruction is important for the nurse to emphasize? - 1. Eat six small meals daily. 2. Test the urine ketone levels. *3. Monitor blood glucose levels frequently.* 4. Receive appropriate follow-up health care. *rationale* Client education after DKA should emphasize the need for home glucose monitoring four to five times per day. It is also important to instruct the client to notify the health care provider when illness occurs. The presence of urinary ketones indicates that DKA has already occurred. The client should eat well-balanced meals with snacks, as prescribed. A nurse is reviewing discharge teaching with a client who has Cushing's syndrome. Which statement by the client indicates that the instructions related to dietary management were understood? - *1. "I can eat foods that contain potassium."* 2. "I will need to limit the amount of protein in my diet." 3. "I am fortunate that I can eat all the salty foods I enjoy." 4. "I am fortunate that I do not need to follow any special diet." *rationale* A diet that is low in calories, carbohydrates, and sodium but ample in protein and potassium content is encouraged for a client with Cushing's syndrome. Such a diet promotes weight loss, the reduction of edema and hypertension, the control of hypokalemia, and the rebuilding of wasted tissue. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus calls the nurse to report recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia. Which statement by the client indicates a correct understanding of NPH insulin and exercise? - 1. "I should not exercise after lunch." 2. "I should not exercise after breakfast." 3. "I should not exercise in the late evening." *4. "I should not exercise in the late afternoon."* *rationale* A hypoglycemic reaction may occur in response to increased exercise. Clients should avoid exercise during the peak time of insulin. NPH insulin peaks at 12 to 14 hours; therefore, late afternoon exercise would occur during the peak of the medication. A nurse is caring for a postoperative parathyroidectomy client. Which of the following would require the nurse's immediate attention? - 1. Incisional pain *2. Laryngeal stridor* 3. Difficulty voiding 4. Abdominal cramps *rationale* During the postoperative period, the nurse carefully observes the client for signs of hemorrhage, which cause swelling and the compression of adjacent tissue. Laryngeal stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration and expiration that is caused by the compression of the trachea and that leads to respiratory distress. It is an acute emergency situation that requires immediate attention to avoid the complete obstruction of the airway. When a nurse notes that a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus has lipodystrophy on both upper thighs, what information should the nurse obtain from the client? - *1. Plan of injection rotation* 2. Consistency of aspiration 3. Preparation of the injection site 4. Angle at which the medication is administered *rationale* Lipodystrophy (i.e., the hypertrophy of subcutaneous tissue at the injection site) occurs in some diabetic clients when the same injection sites are used for prolonged periods of time. Thus, clients are instructed to adhere to a rotating injection site plan to avoid tissue changes. Preparation of the site, aspiration, and the angle of insulin administration do not produce tissue damage. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving glipizide (Glucotrol). Which outcome indicates an ineffective response from the medication? - 1. A decrease in polyuria 2. A decrease in polyphagia 3. A fasting plasma glucose of 100 mg/dL *4. A glycosylated hemoglobin level of 12%* *rationale* Glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral hypoglycemic agent administered to decrease the serum glucose level and the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia. Therefore, a decrease in both polyuria and polyphagia would indicate a therapeutic response. Laboratory values are also used to monitor a client's response to treatment. A fasting blood glucose level of 100 mg/dL is within normal limits. However, glycosylated hemoglobin of 12% indicates poor glycemic control. A nurse assists in developing a plan of care for a client with hyperparathyroidism receiving calcitonin-human (Cibacalcin). Which outcome has the highest priority regarding this medication? - 1. Relief of pain 2. Absence of side effects *3. Reaching normal serum calcium levels* 4. Verbalization of appropriate medication knowledge *rationale* Hypercalcemia can occur in clients with hyperparathyroidism, and calcitonin is used to lower plasma calcium level. The highest priority outcome in this client situation would be a reduction in serum calcium level. Option 1 is unrelated to this medication. Although options 2 and 4 are expected outcomes, they are not the highest priority for administering this medication. A nursing instructor asks a student to describe the pathophysiology that occurs in Cushing's disease. Which statement by the student indicates an accurate understanding of this disorder? - 1. "Cushing's disease is characterized by an oversecretion of insulin." *2. "Cushing's disease is characterized by an oversecretion of glucocorticoid hormones."* 3. "Cushing's disease is characterized by an undersecretion of corticotropic hormones." 4. "Cushing's disease is characterized by an undersecretion of glucocorticoid hormones." *rationale* Cushing's syndrome is characterized by an oversecretion of glucocorticoid hormones. Addison's disease is characterized by the failure of the adrenal cortex to produce and secrete adrenocortical hormones. Options 1 and 4 are inaccurate regarding Cushing's syndrome. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is to begin an exercise program, and the nurse is providing instructions to the client regarding the program. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching plan? - 1. Try to exercise before mealtime. 2. Administer insulin after exercising. *3. Take a blood glucose test before exercising.* 4. Exercise should be performed during peak times of insulin. *rationale* A blood glucose test performed before exercising provides information to the client regarding the need to eat a snack first. Exercising during the peak times of insulin effect or before mealtime places the client at risk for hypoglycemia. Insulin should be administered as prescribed. A nurse would expect to note which interventions in the plan of care for a client with hypothyroidism? *Select all that apply.* - 1. Provide a cool environment for the client. 2. Instruct the client to consume a high-fat diet. *3. Instruct the client about thyroid replacement therapy.* *4. Encourage the client to consume fluids and high-fiber foods in the diet.* *5. Instruct the client to contact the health care provider if episodes of chest pain occur.* 6. Inform the client that iodine preparations will be prescribed to treat the disorder. *rationale* The clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism are the result of decreased metabolism from low levels of thyroid hormone. Interventions are aimed at replacement of the hormones and providing measures to support the signs and symptoms related to a decreased metabolism. The nurse encourages the client to consume a well-balanced diet that is low in fat for weight reduction and high in fluids and high-fiber foods to prevent constipation. The client often has cold intolerance and requires a warm environment. The client would notify the health care provider if chest pain occurs since it could be an indication of overreplacement of thyroid hormone. Iodine preparations are used to treat hyperthyroidism. These medications decrease blood flow through the thyroid gland and reduce the production and release of thyroid hormone.