A pregnant woman has been receiving a magnesium sulfate infusion for the treatment of severe preeclampsia for 24 hours.
On assessment, the nurse finds the following vital signs: temperature of 37.3° C, pulse rate of 88 beats/min, respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min, blood pressure (BP) of 148/90 mm Hg, absent deep tendon reflexes, and no ankle clonus.

The patient complains, “I’m so thirsty and warm.” The nurse:

Verbalizing the importance of monitoring for medication side effects.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, which means the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can lead to symptoms such as weight loss, increased appetite, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, heat intolerance, and palpitations. The medication methimazole is used to treat Graves’ disease by blocking the synthesis of thyroid hormone. However, methimazole can also cause serious side effects such as liver damage, agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count), and allergic reactions.

Therefore, the priority nursing goal for a 14 year old diagnosed with Graves’ disease is to verbalize the importance of monitoring for medication side effects and reporting them to the health care provider.

Choice A is wrong because relieving constipation is not a priority goal for Graves’ disease. Constipation is more likely to occur in hypothyroidism, which is the opposite of hyperthyroidism.

Choice B is wrong because allowing the adolescent to make decisions about whether or not to take medication is not a priority goal for Graves’ disease. While it is important to respect the adolescent’s autonomy and involve them in their care plan, they also need to understand the risks and benefits of taking medication and the consequences of not taking it.

Choice D is wrong because developing alternative educational goals is not a priority goal for Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease can affect the academic performance of adolescents due to cognitive and emotional changes caused by hyperthyroidism.

However, this does not mean that they need to change their educational goals. They may need extra support and accommodations from their teachers and parents to cope with their condition and achieve their potential.

Visible peristalsis and weight loss. These are symptoms of pyloric stenosis, which is a thickening or narrowing of the pylorus, a muscle in the stomach that blocks food from entering the small intestine. Babies with pyloric stenosis often have forceful vomiting, which may cause dehydration.

Choice A is wrong because abdominal rigidity and pain on palpation are not typical signs of pyloric stenosis.

They may indicate other conditions such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction.

Choice B is wrong because a rounded abdomen and hypoactive bowel sounds are also not specific for pyloric stenosis.

They may be seen in other causes of vomiting or abdominal distension.

Choice D is wrong because distention of the lower abdomen and constipation are not related to pyloric stenosis.

They may be due to other problems such as Hirschsprung’s disease or intestinal atresia. Normal ranges for weight gain in infants depend on their age, sex, and feeding method. Generally, infants should gain about 25 to 35 grams per day in the first 3 months of life.