What should the nurse stress in a teaching plan for the mother of an 11-year-old diagnosed with ulcerative colitis?

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.

Sleepiness or fatigue and puffiness around the eyes are symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which regulate the body’s metabolism and energy levels.

Choice A is wrong because weight loss is more likely to occur in hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormones.

Choice C is wrong because diarrhea is also more likely to occur in hyperthyroidism, as the excess thyroid hormones speed up the digestive system.

Choice E is wrong because limited hair growth is not a specific symptom of hypothyroidism. Hair loss or thinning may occur in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, depending on the severity and duration of the condition.

Normal ranges for thyroid hormones are:

• TSH: 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L
• T3: 100 to 200 ng/dL
• T4: 4.5 to 11.2 mcg/dL