NCLEX RN Endocrine Disorders Practice
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
Question 1
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Decreased serum glucose
Answer: C. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid respirations that occur as
the body attempts to compensate for metabolic acidosis caused by DKA.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with hypoglycemia. Which manifestation is most
likely?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Tremors and diaphoresis
C. Fruity breath
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: B. Tremors and diaphoresis
,Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety,
and hunger.
Question 3
A conscious client with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 52 mg/dL (2.9
mmol/L). What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the client to exercise
D. Administer long-acting insulin
Answer: B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious client with hypoglycemia should receive
approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate, followed by glucose
reassessment in about 15 minutes.
Question 4
Which instruction is most important for a client taking insulin?
A. Store all insulin in the freezer.
B. Rotate injection sites within the same general anatomical area.
C. Massage the injection site vigorously after administration.
D. Inject insulin into areas with lipodystrophy.
Answer: B. Rotate injection sites within the same general anatomical area.
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipohypertrophy and
promotes more predictable insulin absorption.
Question 5
Which assessment finding is most consistent with hyperthyroidism?
,A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Bradycardia
D. Heat intolerance
Answer: D. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic activity, commonly causing
heat intolerance, weight loss, tachycardia, anxiety, and increased appetite.
Question 6
Which finding is expected in a client with hypothyroidism?
A. Diarrhea
B. Weight loss
C. Cold intolerance
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C. Cold intolerance
Rationale: Reduced thyroid hormone decreases metabolic activity and
commonly causes fatigue, weight gain, constipation, bradycardia, and cold
intolerance.
Question 7
A client with Graves disease develops a temperature of 104°F (40°C), severe
tachycardia, agitation, and vomiting. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Myxedema coma
B. Thyroid storm
C. Addisonian crisis
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Thyroid storm
, Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening exacerbation of
hyperthyroidism characterized by hyperthermia, severe tachycardia, altered
mental status, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular instability.
Question 8
Which medication is commonly prescribed as thyroid hormone replacement for
hypothyroidism?
A. Methimazole
B. Levothyroxine
C. Propranolol
D. Propylthiouracil
Answer: B. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Levothyroxine is synthetic thyroid hormone used to replace
deficient thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism.
Question 9
Which instruction should the nurse give a client taking levothyroxine?
A. Take it with an iron supplement.
B. Take it consistently, preferably on an empty stomach.
C. Stop taking it when symptoms improve.
D. Take it only when fatigue occurs.
Answer: B. Take it consistently, preferably on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an empty stomach
to improve absorption. Calcium and iron supplements can interfere with
absorption and should be separated from the medication.
Question 10
Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating thyroid function in a client
suspected of having primary hypothyroidism?
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
Question 1
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Decreased serum glucose
Answer: C. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid respirations that occur as
the body attempts to compensate for metabolic acidosis caused by DKA.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with hypoglycemia. Which manifestation is most
likely?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Tremors and diaphoresis
C. Fruity breath
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: B. Tremors and diaphoresis
,Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety,
and hunger.
Question 3
A conscious client with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 52 mg/dL (2.9
mmol/L). What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the client to exercise
D. Administer long-acting insulin
Answer: B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious client with hypoglycemia should receive
approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate, followed by glucose
reassessment in about 15 minutes.
Question 4
Which instruction is most important for a client taking insulin?
A. Store all insulin in the freezer.
B. Rotate injection sites within the same general anatomical area.
C. Massage the injection site vigorously after administration.
D. Inject insulin into areas with lipodystrophy.
Answer: B. Rotate injection sites within the same general anatomical area.
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipohypertrophy and
promotes more predictable insulin absorption.
Question 5
Which assessment finding is most consistent with hyperthyroidism?
,A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Bradycardia
D. Heat intolerance
Answer: D. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic activity, commonly causing
heat intolerance, weight loss, tachycardia, anxiety, and increased appetite.
Question 6
Which finding is expected in a client with hypothyroidism?
A. Diarrhea
B. Weight loss
C. Cold intolerance
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C. Cold intolerance
Rationale: Reduced thyroid hormone decreases metabolic activity and
commonly causes fatigue, weight gain, constipation, bradycardia, and cold
intolerance.
Question 7
A client with Graves disease develops a temperature of 104°F (40°C), severe
tachycardia, agitation, and vomiting. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Myxedema coma
B. Thyroid storm
C. Addisonian crisis
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Thyroid storm
, Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening exacerbation of
hyperthyroidism characterized by hyperthermia, severe tachycardia, altered
mental status, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular instability.
Question 8
Which medication is commonly prescribed as thyroid hormone replacement for
hypothyroidism?
A. Methimazole
B. Levothyroxine
C. Propranolol
D. Propylthiouracil
Answer: B. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Levothyroxine is synthetic thyroid hormone used to replace
deficient thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism.
Question 9
Which instruction should the nurse give a client taking levothyroxine?
A. Take it with an iron supplement.
B. Take it consistently, preferably on an empty stomach.
C. Stop taking it when symptoms improve.
D. Take it only when fatigue occurs.
Answer: B. Take it consistently, preferably on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an empty stomach
to improve absorption. Calcium and iron supplements can interfere with
absorption and should be separated from the medication.
Question 10
Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating thyroid function in a client
suspected of having primary hypothyroidism?
