A breastfeeding infant, screened for congenital hypothyroidism, is found to have low levels of thyroxine (T4) and high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Which is the best explanation for this finding?
The TSH is high because of the low production of T4 by the thyroid.
The thyroxine level is low because the TSH level is high.
The thyroid gland does not produce normal levels of thyroxine for several weeks after birth.
High thyroxine levels normally occur in breastfeeding infants.
The Correct Answer is A
In a normal infant, T4 levels increase after birth due to stimulation by TSH from the pituitary gland. In this case, the T4 level is low and the TSH level is high, indicating that the thyroid gland is not producing enough T4 in response to TSH stimulation. This suggests that the infant may have congenital hypothyroidism, which requires prompt treatment to prevent developmental delays and other complications.
The low T4 level is not a direct cause of the high TSH level; rather, the high TSH level is a compensatory mechanism to increase T4 production. It is not normal for a breastfeeding infant to have high thyroxine levels. While the thyroid gland may take a few weeks to reach normal function after birth, the persistent low T4 and high TSH levels in this infant suggest a more serious issue.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should report chest pain to the healthcare provider immediately when caring for a child with sickle cell disease who is experiencing a sickle cell crisis. Chest pain can be a sign of acute chest syndrome, a potentially life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease that requires prompt treatment.
Swelling in the hands or feet, ulcers on the legs, and jaundice are common symptoms of sickle cell disease and do not require immediate reporting to the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which can cause decreased blood flow from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation. In infants with aortic stenosis, the left ventricle must work harder to pump blood through the narrowed valve, which can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and pulmonary edema. Bilateral fine crackles in both lung fields may indicate fluid overload in the lungs, which is a common complication of heart failure. Hypotension and tachycardia may also be present due to decreased cardiac output.
Option A is not a typical finding associated with aortic stenosis.
Option B is not directly related to the infant's cardiac condition.
Option C is not a typical finding associated with heart failure.
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