A nurse is performing a physical examination on an adolescent male suspected of having an endocrine disorder. Which of the following assessment findings might be indicative of a problem with the thyroid gland?
Development of a buffalo hump and moon face
Central obesity and purple striations
Sudden weight loss without dieting
Positive Trosseau's sign when checking the client's blood pressure
The Correct Answer is C
A. Development of a buffalo hump and moon face:
This is associated with Cushing's syndrome, a disorder characterized by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol.
B. Central obesity and purple striations:
Also indicative of Cushing's syndrome, where excess cortisol can lead to the accumulation of fat in the abdominal area (central obesity) and the development of purple stretch marks (striae).
C. Sudden weight loss without dieting:
This is more characteristic of hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland is overactive, leading to increased metabolism and unintended weight loss.
D. Positive Trousseau's sign when checking the client's blood pressure:
Trousseau's sign is associated with hypocalcemia and is seen in conditions affecting the parathyroid gland rather than the thyroid. It involves carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff above the systolic pressure for a few minutes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Aspirin Toxicity:
Effect on Blood Gases: Aspirin toxicity can cause respiratory alkalosis due to increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation), leading to a decreased PaCO2 and increased pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: It could potentially cause the observed blood gas values (low PaCO2 and high pH), making it a possible cause.
B. Fever:
Effect on Blood Gases: Fever might cause hyperventilation, resulting in respiratory alkalosis with decreased PaCO2 and increased pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: It could potentially cause the observed blood gas values.
C. Anxiety Attack:
Effect on Blood Gases: Anxiety attacks can lead to hyperventilation and subsequent respiratory alkalosis with low PaCO2 and high pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: It could potentially cause the observed blood gas values.
D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
Effect on Blood Gases: COPD typically causes respiratory acidosis due to impaired gas exchange, resulting in elevated PaCO2 and decreased pH.
Relation to Given Blood Gases: COPD wouldn't typically cause the observed blood gas values of low PaCO2 and high pH.
Correct Answer is ["C","E"]
Explanation
A. Asthma:
Explanation: Asthma is associated with respiratory alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis. In asthma, there is often hyperventilation leading to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels.
B. Hyperventilation:
Explanation: Correct. Hyperventilation can cause respiratory alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis. It leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels.
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):
Explanation: Correct. Conditions like COPD can lead to respiratory acidosis. In COPD, there is impaired ventilation, leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide.
D. Renal insufficiency:
Explanation: Renal insufficiency is not a direct cause of respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is primarily related to respiratory system dysfunction.
E. Pneumonia:
Explanation: Correct. Pneumonia can cause respiratory acidosis. In pneumonia, there may be difficulty in eliminating carbon dioxide due to impaired gas exchange.
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