The clinic nurse is reviewing the client's symptoms which include hair loss, feeling tired, always being very cold, and having constipation. Which of the following complications may arise if the patient does not receive treatment?
Myxedema
Hypocalcemia
Pericarditis
Thyroid crisis
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Untreated hypothyroidism progresses to myxedema, a severe state with slowed metabolism causing fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and hair loss from low thyroid hormone.
Choice B reason: Hypocalcemia results from hypoparathyroidism, not hypothyroidism, which affects metabolism, not calcium regulation directly, so it’s unrelated to these symptoms.
Choice C reason: Pericarditis may occur in severe hypothyroidism late, but it’s not the primary complication; myxedema encompasses the broader metabolic decline seen here.
Choice D reason: Thyroid crisis (storm) is a hyperthyroid emergency with fever and tachycardia, opposite to hypothyroidism’s slow symptoms like coldness and fatigue.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Decreased body temperature reflects hypothyroidism; levothyroxine raises metabolism, normalizing or increasing temperature, so this isn’t a therapeutic response.
Choice B reason: Increased energy occurs as levothyroxine restores thyroid hormone, boosting metabolism, reversing hypothyroidism’s fatigue, a key sign of effective treatment.
Choice C reason: Weight gain contradicts levothyroxine’s effect; it increases metabolism, aiding weight loss or stabilization, not gain, in hypothyroidism treatment.
Choice D reason: Decreased appetite isn’t typical; levothyroxine may normalize appetite as metabolism rises, not suppress it, differing from hypothyroidism’s effects.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Crackles indicate pulmonary edema from left-sided heart failure, where fluid backs up into lungs, not right-sided failure, which affects systemic circulation instead.
Choice B reason: Orthopnea, dyspnea when lying flat, results from left-sided failure’s pulmonary congestion, not right-sided failure, which causes systemic venous pooling, not lung issues.
Choice C reason: Jugular venous distention occurs in right-sided heart failure as the right ventricle fails, backing blood into veins, elevating neck vein pressure visibly.
Choice D reason: Blood-tinged sputum suggests pulmonary edema or infarction, tied to left-sided failure or embolism, not right-sided failure’s systemic congestion pattern.
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