54 Questions
What is hypothyroidism?
An underactive thyroid gland
Which of the following is a common cause of hypothyroidism?
Autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
What happens when thyroid hormone levels are too low?
Body's processes slow down
Which of the following is a symptom of hypothyroidism?
Joint and muscle pain
What is a common symptom of hypothyroidism related to the skin?
Dry skin
Which of the following is a symptom of hypothyroidism related to menstruation?
Irregular menstrual periods
What is a common symptom of hypothyroidism related to mental health?
Depression
What is a common symptom of hypothyroidism related to the thyroid gland?
Enlarged thyroid gland
What is the effect of hypothyroidism on body temperature regulation?
Decreased tolerance to cold
What do common symptoms of hypothyroidism like fatigue and weight gain indicate?
Possibly a thyroid problem
What are some causes of hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s disease, surgical removal of the thyroid, radiation treatment
How is hypothyroidism treated?
By replacing the hormone the thyroid can no longer make with synthetic thyroxine pills
What are symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Develop slowly and can go unnoticed for months or years
How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?
Through blood tests measuring thyroid hormone and TSH levels
What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?
Administration of synthetic thyroxine, such as levothyroxine
What is the effect of levothyroxine therapy?
Requires routine laboratory testing to review thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels
What can lead to hypothyroidism?
Certain medications and conditions, such as amiodarone, interferon alpha, lithium, and iodine levels
What are potential risks for people with hypothyroidism?
Respiratory depression and myxedema coma with opioid analgesics and sedating drugs
What is the duration of replacement therapy for hypothyroidism?
Lifelong
What are symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Heat intolerance, palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, weight loss, irregular menses in women
What is the primary goal of managing Graves’ disease?
To minimize ophthalmopathy
How is thyrotoxicosis diagnosed?
Low serum level of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
What is the permanent way to treat hyperthyroidism?
Administering radioactive iodine
What is the function of beta-adrenergic blocking agents in hyperthyroidism?
To suppress tachycardia
What is the BLACK BOX WARNING♦ for propylthiouracil?
It may result in liver injury or failure
What is the role of nursing interventions in hyperthyroidism management?
To initiate teaching
What is the effect of thyroiditis on the thyroid gland?
It results in transient mild thyrotoxicosis
What is the most widely used treatment for hyperthyroidism in the United States?
Radioactive iodine
What is the consequence of thyroid destruction in thyroiditis?
Immediate hypothyroidism
What is the role of antithyroid drugs in hyperthyroidism treatment?
To suppress tachycardia
Which hormone is secreted by beta cells in the pancreas?
Insulin
What is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations in the United States?
Diabetes
What is the economic cost of diabetes in the United States primarily attributed to?
Increasing health care costs
What is the hormone released by alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans when blood glucose levels decrease?
Glucagon
What is the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes like among racial groups compared to Caucasians?
Higher
What is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States?
Diabetes
What do impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) refer to?
Prediabetic conditions
What is the primary hormone responsible for moving glucose from the blood into muscle, liver, and fat cells?
Insulin
What is the primary classification of diabetes associated with other conditions or syndromes?
Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA)
What is the role of glucagon in maintaining blood glucose levels?
Stimulates the liver to release stored glucose
What is the effect of insulin on the breakdown of stored glucose, protein, and fat?
Inhibits breakdown
What is the primary cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the United States?
Diabetes
What is diabetes characterized by?
High level of glucose in the blood
What is required for the care of patients with diabetes?
Understanding of epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, and medical and nursing care
What is the estimated number of adults in the United States with diabetes?
34.1 million
What is the trend for the number of adults with diabetes in the United States by 2050?
One in every three adults could have diabetes
What percentage of adults had diabetes in 2018, reaching 28.3% for those age 65 years or older?
28.3%
What is the estimated percentage of U.S. adults with prediabetes?
35.5%
What is the annual increase in the number of people older than 20 years newly diagnosed with diabetes?
1.7 million
What is the primary focus of this module?
Nursing management of patients with diabetes
What is the dynamic field with constant advances in technology, research, and medications that can improve the life and well-being of people with diabetes?
Field of diabetes
Who cares for patients with diabetes in all settings?
Nurses
What is the rate of undiagnosed cases among the estimated number of adults in the United States with diabetes?
Almost one third
What is the consequence of defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both in diabetes?
Hyperglycemia
Study Notes
Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Hypothyroidism can be caused by Hashimoto’s disease, congenital hypothyroidism, surgical removal of the thyroid, radiation treatment, and certain medications.
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly and can go unnoticed for months or years.
- There is no cure for hypothyroidism, and most patients have it for life, but some exceptions exist, such as viral thyroiditis or thyroiditis after pregnancy.
- Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the hormone the thyroid can no longer make, typically with synthetic thyroxine pills.
- Certain medications and conditions, such as amiodarone, interferon alpha, lithium, and iodine levels, can lead to hypothyroidism.
- Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid can result in hypothyroidism, and radiation treatment for hyperthyroidism often leads to hypothyroidism.
- Treatment for hypothyroidism involves the administration of synthetic thyroxine, such as levothyroxine, which should be taken on an empty stomach.
- Levothyroxine therapy is for life and requires routine laboratory testing to review thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
- Levothyroxine rarely causes adverse effects when administered at appropriate doses.
- Replacement therapy for hypothyroidism is lifelong, and no clear-cut guidelines exist regarding duration of antithyroid drug therapy.
- People with hypothyroidism are at risk of respiratory depression and myxedema coma with opioid analgesics and sedating drugs.
- Hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed through blood tests measuring thyroid hormone and TSH levels, and symptoms include heat intolerance, palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, weight loss, and irregular menses in women.
Test your knowledge of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism with this quiz on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of these common thyroid conditions. Learn about the symptoms, medication, and potential complications associated with both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
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