The nurse is assessing a client's thyroid. The nurse determines the client's thyroid is non-palpable and non-tender. Which is the best explanation of these findings?
The client should be placed on levothyroxine
The client will need a removal of the thyroid gland
This is a normal finding
The nurse did not complete the assessment correctly
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism, but a non-palpable, non-tender thyroid is normal, not indicating low hormone needing replacement, so this is unnecessary.
Choice B reason: Thyroidectomy addresses hyperthyroidism or masses, not a non-palpable, non-tender gland, which is physiologically normal, making surgery irrelevant here.
Choice C reason: A healthy thyroid is typically non-palpable and non-tender, indicating no enlargement or inflammation, aligning with normal anatomy, so this is correct.
Choice D reason: Proper assessment finds a non-palpable thyroid as normal; suggesting error assumes pathology without evidence, when findings match expected norms.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Levothyroxine takes weeks to normalize metabolism in hypothyroidism as T4 converts to T3 gradually, so immediate symptom relief isn’t accurate or expected.
Choice B reason: Levothyroxine supplements, not decreases, thyroxine in hypothyroidism. Decreasing overproduction applies to hyperthyroidism treatments like antithyroid drugs, not this condition.
Choice C reason: Hypothyroidism requires lifelong levothyroxine since the thyroid can’t produce hormone. Stopping when symptoms resolve risks recurrence, making this advice incorrect.
Choice D reason: Excess levothyroxine mimics hyperthyroidism, causing tremors, nervousness, and insomnia from overstimulated metabolism, correctly indicating a need for dose adjustment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Myxedema, severe hypothyroidism, slows metabolism, reducing cardiac output and causing fluid retention in tissues, leading to non-pitting leg edema from glycosaminoglycan deposits and poor circulation.
Choice B reason: Heat intolerance occurs in hyperthyroidism due to increased metabolism raising body temperature. Myxedema causes cold intolerance from slowed metabolism, making this finding unlikely.
Choice C reason: Tachycardia is a hyperthyroid symptom from excess thyroid hormone speeding heart rate. Myxedema leads to bradycardia as metabolism and cardiac activity decrease significantly.
Choice D reason: Diarrhea aligns with hyperthyroidism’s accelerated gut motility. Myxedema causes constipation from slowed metabolism reducing peristalsis, so diarrhea contradicts this condition’s physiology.
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