RN TARGETED MEDICAL-SURGICAL
ENDOCRINE ASSESSMENT 2026 FULL
SOLUTION VERIFIED
◉ An elderly patient is seen in the endocrine clinic. Upon
assessment, the nurse notes a palpable thyroid gland. What does this
finding indicate? Answer: This is a normal finding in the elderly
◉ A patient reports weight loss, increased appetite, chest pain, and
hair loss. Assessment findings include large and protruding eyes,
skin that is warm, smooth, and moist, an elevated blood pressure,
and an increased heart rate. The nurse suspects that the patient has
which condition? Answer: Hyperthyroidism
◉ The nurse working in an endocrine clinic knows that Trousseau's
sign is an important diagnostic tool. Which statement best describes
how to conduct the test for Trousseau's sign? Answer: Inflate the
blood pressure cuff
◉ A 22-year-old male patient states, "I am not able to grow a beard
or mustache." The nurse recognizes that which hormonal imbalance
may lead to this type of problem? Answer: Testosterone
,◉ The laboratory findings of a patient indicate decreased urine
output. What condition does the nurse suspect? Answer: Syndrome
of inapropriate antidiuretic hormone
◉ Which hormone helps maintain water balance in a patient's body?
Answer: Antidiuretic hormone
◉ A patient has sought care because of a loss of 25 lb over the past
six months during which the patient claims to have made no
significant dietary changes. For what potential problem should the
nurse assess the patient? Answer: Thyroid disorders
◉ What is hypothyroidism and what causes it? Answer:
Hypothyroidism is insufficient circulating thyroid hormone.
May be primary or secondary which is determined by the TSH level.
It can be caused by iodine deficiency, atrophy of the thyroid gland,
treatment of hyperthyroidism (RAI), or adverse drug effects
(amiodrone and lithium)
◉ What is primary and secondary hypothyroidism? Answer:
Primary: TSH is high. Related to destruction of thyroid tissue or
defective hormone synthesis
,Secondary: TSH is low. Related to pituitary disease with decreased
TSH or hypothalmic dysfunction with decreased TRH
◉ If someone has low TSH, they have what type of hypothyroidism?
Answer: Secondary, because the pituitary or hypothalamus is not
making enough TSH
◉ What are the common clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism?
Answer: - Decreased rate and force of contraction
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Anemia, dyspnea
- Decreased appetite, weight gain, constipation
- Dry, thick, inelastic skin
- Decreased sweating, pallor
- Fatigue, weakness, slow movements
- Apathy, lethargy, slow slurred speech
- Cold intolerance
- Goiter (seen in both hyper and hypo)
** Everything slows down **
◉ What diagnostic studies confirm hypothyroidism? Answer: - TSH
to determine if it is primary or secondary
- Free T4: decreased
, - Increased cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine
- Presence of thyroi peroxidase
◉ How do we treat hypothyroidism? Answer: - We want to restore
euthyroid state quickly and safely
- Low calorie diet to promote weight loss
- Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)
◉ What is Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)? Answer: - It is given to treat
hypothyroidism
- In older adults and people with compromised cardiac status, we
need to start this with a small dose
- This is a life long replacement therapy
- Leothyroxine effects anticoagulants and digitalis, therefor we need
to be cautious and look for signs of increased bleeding
◉ A patient has hypothyroidism and understands the importance of
having life long therapy with regular follow ups. What type of signs
and symptoms would be considered emergent and need immediate
contact with a doctor? Answer: - Orthopnea and dyspnea
- Rapid pulse and palpitations
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
ENDOCRINE ASSESSMENT 2026 FULL
SOLUTION VERIFIED
◉ An elderly patient is seen in the endocrine clinic. Upon
assessment, the nurse notes a palpable thyroid gland. What does this
finding indicate? Answer: This is a normal finding in the elderly
◉ A patient reports weight loss, increased appetite, chest pain, and
hair loss. Assessment findings include large and protruding eyes,
skin that is warm, smooth, and moist, an elevated blood pressure,
and an increased heart rate. The nurse suspects that the patient has
which condition? Answer: Hyperthyroidism
◉ The nurse working in an endocrine clinic knows that Trousseau's
sign is an important diagnostic tool. Which statement best describes
how to conduct the test for Trousseau's sign? Answer: Inflate the
blood pressure cuff
◉ A 22-year-old male patient states, "I am not able to grow a beard
or mustache." The nurse recognizes that which hormonal imbalance
may lead to this type of problem? Answer: Testosterone
,◉ The laboratory findings of a patient indicate decreased urine
output. What condition does the nurse suspect? Answer: Syndrome
of inapropriate antidiuretic hormone
◉ Which hormone helps maintain water balance in a patient's body?
Answer: Antidiuretic hormone
◉ A patient has sought care because of a loss of 25 lb over the past
six months during which the patient claims to have made no
significant dietary changes. For what potential problem should the
nurse assess the patient? Answer: Thyroid disorders
◉ What is hypothyroidism and what causes it? Answer:
Hypothyroidism is insufficient circulating thyroid hormone.
May be primary or secondary which is determined by the TSH level.
It can be caused by iodine deficiency, atrophy of the thyroid gland,
treatment of hyperthyroidism (RAI), or adverse drug effects
(amiodrone and lithium)
◉ What is primary and secondary hypothyroidism? Answer:
Primary: TSH is high. Related to destruction of thyroid tissue or
defective hormone synthesis
,Secondary: TSH is low. Related to pituitary disease with decreased
TSH or hypothalmic dysfunction with decreased TRH
◉ If someone has low TSH, they have what type of hypothyroidism?
Answer: Secondary, because the pituitary or hypothalamus is not
making enough TSH
◉ What are the common clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism?
Answer: - Decreased rate and force of contraction
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Anemia, dyspnea
- Decreased appetite, weight gain, constipation
- Dry, thick, inelastic skin
- Decreased sweating, pallor
- Fatigue, weakness, slow movements
- Apathy, lethargy, slow slurred speech
- Cold intolerance
- Goiter (seen in both hyper and hypo)
** Everything slows down **
◉ What diagnostic studies confirm hypothyroidism? Answer: - TSH
to determine if it is primary or secondary
- Free T4: decreased
, - Increased cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine
- Presence of thyroi peroxidase
◉ How do we treat hypothyroidism? Answer: - We want to restore
euthyroid state quickly and safely
- Low calorie diet to promote weight loss
- Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)
◉ What is Leothyroxine (Synthyroid)? Answer: - It is given to treat
hypothyroidism
- In older adults and people with compromised cardiac status, we
need to start this with a small dose
- This is a life long replacement therapy
- Leothyroxine effects anticoagulants and digitalis, therefor we need
to be cautious and look for signs of increased bleeding
◉ A patient has hypothyroidism and understands the importance of
having life long therapy with regular follow ups. What type of signs
and symptoms would be considered emergent and need immediate
contact with a doctor? Answer: - Orthopnea and dyspnea
- Rapid pulse and palpitations
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
