Chapter 32 Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism received a prescription for a thyroid drug. In
addition to assessing for hypersensitivity and myocardial infarction, for what should the nurse
also assess before administering the thyroid drug? a.Infections
b. Diabetes mellitus
c. Lupus
erythematosus d.
Adrenal insufficiency
ANS D
Adrenal insufficiency is a contraindication to the administration of thyroid
drugs. DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. A patient with hypothyroidism is given a prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid®). When the
nurse explains that levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone, the patient states that a
more natural form of drug would be personally preferred. What is the nurse’s best explanation to the
patient for the use of levothyroxine?
a. The synthetic form has a stronger effect than the natural
forms. b. Levothyroxine is less expensive than the natural forms.
c. The oral form has fewer adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
d. Because the half-life of levothyroxine is longer than that of the natural forms, once-a-day
dosing is possible.
ANS D
An advantage of levothyroxine over the natural forms is that it needs to be administered only once a
day because of its long half-life. As well, its effects are more predictable than those of natural thyroid
preparations.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
, 3. The nurse is discussing thyroid replacement therapy and establishing treatment goals with a
patient. What important adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
a. Edema, anemia, and hepatitis
b. Pruritus, myalgia, leukopenia, and paresthesia
c. Tachycardia, dysrhythmias, weight loss, and fever
d. Skin pigment changes, bleeding, and menstrual irregularities
ANS C
Some of the more serious adverse effects of thyroid drugs are tachycardia, dysrhythmias, weight
loss, and fever.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
4. When teaching a patient on antithyroid medication about diet, which direction should be included?
a. Use iodized salt when
cooking. b. Avoid foods
containing iodine.
c. Increase fluid intake to 2 500 mL per day.
d. Increase intake of sodium- and potassium-containing foods.
ANS B
Clients on antithyroid therapy should avoid iodine-containing
foods. DIF Cognitive Level Application
5. A patient is taking propylthiouracil for hyperthyroidism and asks the nurse how this
medication works.
In answer to the patient’s question, the nurse tells the patient that
propylthiouracil a. Blocks the action of thyroid hormone
b. Impedes the formation of thyroid hormone
c. Destroys overactive cells in the thyroid gland
d. Inactivates already existing thyroid hormone in the bloodstream
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism received a prescription for a thyroid drug. In
addition to assessing for hypersensitivity and myocardial infarction, for what should the nurse
also assess before administering the thyroid drug? a.Infections
b. Diabetes mellitus
c. Lupus
erythematosus d.
Adrenal insufficiency
ANS D
Adrenal insufficiency is a contraindication to the administration of thyroid
drugs. DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. A patient with hypothyroidism is given a prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid®). When the
nurse explains that levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone, the patient states that a
more natural form of drug would be personally preferred. What is the nurse’s best explanation to the
patient for the use of levothyroxine?
a. The synthetic form has a stronger effect than the natural
forms. b. Levothyroxine is less expensive than the natural forms.
c. The oral form has fewer adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
d. Because the half-life of levothyroxine is longer than that of the natural forms, once-a-day
dosing is possible.
ANS D
An advantage of levothyroxine over the natural forms is that it needs to be administered only once a
day because of its long half-life. As well, its effects are more predictable than those of natural thyroid
preparations.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
, 3. The nurse is discussing thyroid replacement therapy and establishing treatment goals with a
patient. What important adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
a. Edema, anemia, and hepatitis
b. Pruritus, myalgia, leukopenia, and paresthesia
c. Tachycardia, dysrhythmias, weight loss, and fever
d. Skin pigment changes, bleeding, and menstrual irregularities
ANS C
Some of the more serious adverse effects of thyroid drugs are tachycardia, dysrhythmias, weight
loss, and fever.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
4. When teaching a patient on antithyroid medication about diet, which direction should be included?
a. Use iodized salt when
cooking. b. Avoid foods
containing iodine.
c. Increase fluid intake to 2 500 mL per day.
d. Increase intake of sodium- and potassium-containing foods.
ANS B
Clients on antithyroid therapy should avoid iodine-containing
foods. DIF Cognitive Level Application
5. A patient is taking propylthiouracil for hyperthyroidism and asks the nurse how this
medication works.
In answer to the patient’s question, the nurse tells the patient that
propylthiouracil a. Blocks the action of thyroid hormone
b. Impedes the formation of thyroid hormone
c. Destroys overactive cells in the thyroid gland
d. Inactivates already existing thyroid hormone in the bloodstream
