NURS 5315 Endocrine UPDATED Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Thyroid hormones - CORRECT ANSWER - T3, T4 and calcitonin
Pancreas hormones - CORRECT ANSWER - Insulin and glucagon
Adrenal Glands hormones - CORRECT ANSWER - Made up of the cortex which secretes
steroids such as cortisone and aldosterone and the medulla which secretes catecholamines such
as epi and norepi
Primary thyroid disorders - CORRECT ANSWER - result in alterations of thyroid
hormone (TH) levels with secondary feedback effects on pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone
(TSH)
Subclinical Thyroid disease - CORRECT ANSWER - Thyroid disease that presents with
minimal to no symptoms but with abnormal lab values
Secondary Thyroid disorders - CORRECT ANSWER - conditions that results from the
dysfunction of the pituitary gland TSH production
Thyrotoxicosis - CORRECT ANSWER - (hyperthyroidism) a condition that results from
any cause of increased TH levels. Will how low TSH levels and high T4 level. S&S: increased
metabolic rate, heat intolerance, goiter, menstrual irrregularities, weight loss, diaphoresis, fine
tremor, tachycardia, frequent bowel movements, restlessness, short attention span, hair loss,
anorexia, exophthalmos, pretibial edema, and heart failure.
Thyrotoxic Crisis(thyroid storm) - CORRECT ANSWER - worsening hyperthyroid state
triggered by an igniting even such as infection, trauma, cardiopulmonary disorder, burns,
seizures surgery, or spontaneously. S&S: extreme restlessness and agitation, delirium, seizures,
coma, severe tachycardia, heart failure, hyperthermia, delirium, volume depletion, NVD and
death if not treated.
, Grave's disease - CORRECT ANSWER - Most common cause of hyperthyroidism and is
an autoimmune disorder. Antibodies attach to the thyroid cells and mimic the function of TSH
which results in an increased secretion of T3 and T4 and overrides the negative feedback
mechanisms which regulate TSH secretion. The stimulation of the receptors by the antibodies
results in the development of goiter. May also experience exophthalmos, periorbital edema, and
extraocular muscle weakness leading to strabismus and diplopia
Hyperthyroidism from nodular thyroid disease - CORRECT ANSWER - Follicular
hypertrophy of the thyroid cells is responsible for the formation of the thyroid nodules which
secrete extra hormones. Nodules develop bc of normal changes during pregnancy or puberty or
as a result of an autoimmune issue, viral infection or genetic influence. Symptoms develop
slowly and will not display exophthalmos or pretibial myxedema
Primary hypothyroidism - CORRECT ANSWER - Defect is in the thyroid gland itself
which causes insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. Causes include congenital defects,
thyroidectomy, thyroid radiation, iodine deficiency, anti-thyroid medications, or impairment in
thyroid hormone synthesis
Secondary hypothyroidism - CORRECT ANSWER - Malfunction in the pituitary or
hypothalamus glands which leads to a lack of TSH. Most common cause is pituitary tumors.
Other causes include TBI, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or pituitary infarction
Subclinical hypothyroidism - CORRECT ANSWER - mild thyroid failure. defined by
elevated TSH level with normal TH level.
Hypothyroid S&S - CORRECT ANSWER - confusion, syncope, slow speech and
thinking, anemia, bradycardia, reduced stroke volume and cardiac output, dyspnea,
hypoventilation, decreased appetite, weight gain, dry hair, cold intolerant, constipation,
hyperlipidemia, periorbital edema, peripheral edema, myxedema(puffy face), increased total
body water, hyponatremia, reduced renal blood flow
Myxedema coma - CORRECT ANSWER - thyroid emergency which has the opposite
effect of thyroid storm. Results in decreased LOC and is usually precipitated by an event such as
