A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving levothyroxine for treatment of hypothyroidism. The nurse should recognize which of the following findings is a therapeutic response to this medication?
Decrease in body temperature
Increase in energy
Increase in weight
Decrease in appetite
The Correct Answer is B
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Prednisolone reduces inflammation and thyroid hormone production in thyroid storm, stabilizing metabolism, a standard adjunct, so this order is appropriate.
Choice B reason: Aspirin displaces thyroid hormone from proteins, worsening hyperthyroidism in thyroid storm, risking increased T3/T4 effects, so it’s contraindicated and questionable.
Choice C reason: Diazepam controls agitation and seizures in thyroid storm’s hypermetabolic state, calming the nervous system, making it a suitable order here.
Choice D reason: Metoprolol blocks beta-adrenergic effects, slowing heart rate in thyroid storm’s tachycardia, a critical intervention, so this order is clinically sound.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bradycardia occurs in hypothyroidism; Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, speeds metabolism, causing tachycardia, not slowed heart rate, during exacerbation.
Choice B reason: Heat intolerance in Graves’ disease results from excess thyroid hormone accelerating metabolism, raising body temperature, a hallmark of hyperthyroidism flares.
Choice C reason: Weight gain aligns with hypothyroidism’s slowed metabolism; Graves’ causes weight loss from increased calorie burning, opposite to this finding.
Choice D reason: Lethargy reflects hypothyroidism’s energy drop; Graves’ exacerbation increases metabolism, leading to restlessness or fatigue from overactivity, not lethargy.
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