A nurse is caring for a patient with decreased triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The nurse knows the patient is likely suffering from what?

Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid cancer

Pituitary adenoma

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Hyperthyroidism involves elevated T3 and T4 with low TSH due to excessive thyroid hormone production. The patient’s low T3/T4 and high TSH indicate reduced thyroid activity, not overactivity, as the pituitary increases TSH to stimulate the underactive thyroid, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Hypothyroidism is characterized by low T3 and T4 levels due to underactive thyroid function, prompting the pituitary to secrete more TSH to stimulate hormone production. This matches the patient’s lab results (low T3/T4, high TSH), often seen in primary hypothyroidism, making this the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Thyroid cancer may alter thyroid function but typically doesn’t present with consistently low T3/T4 and high TSH. It’s more likely to cause nodules or abnormal growths, not this specific hormonal pattern, which aligns with hypothyroidism, making this choice less likely.

Choice D reason: Pituitary adenoma causing secondary hypothyroidism would lower TSH, T3, and T4 due to impaired pituitary function. High TSH with low T3/T4 suggests primary thyroid failure, not pituitary dysfunction, making this choice incorrect for the patient’s hormonal profile.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Nonselective agonists activate multiple receptors, not specific ones, leading to widespread effects. Specific processes are targeted by selective agonists, so this is incorrect for nonselective drugs.

Choice B reason: Nonselective agonists activate, not prevent, receptors. Prevention is the role of antagonists, so this is incorrect for a nonselective agonist’s mechanism of action.

Choice C reason: Nonselective agonists activate multiple receptor types, affecting many physiologic processes (e.g., epinephrine). This broad action is their hallmark, making it the correct choice for the drug’s effect.

Choice D reason: Preventing receptor activation describes antagonists, not agonists. Nonselective agonists stimulate multiple processes, so this is incorrect for the drug’s pharmacological action.

A. Metabolic acidosis B. Metabolic alkalosis C. Respiratory acidosis D. Respiratory alkalosis

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Metabolic acidosis involves low pH (<7.35) and low HCO3- (<22 mEq/L). Here, pH is 7.48 (alkalotic) and HCO3- is 29 mEq/L (high), indicating alkalosis, not acidosis. PaCO2 (44 mm Hg) is normal, ruling out respiratory causes, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: pH 7.48 (high), PaCO2 44 mm Hg (normal), and HCO3- 29 mEq/L (high) indicate metabolic alkalosis, likely from conditions like vomiting or diuretic use, increasing bicarbonate. No respiratory compensation (normal PaCO2) confirms uncompensated metabolic alkalosis, making this the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Respiratory acidosis requires high PaCO2 (>45 mm Hg) and low pH. Here, PaCO2 is 44 mm Hg (normal) and pH is 7.48 (alkalotic), with high HCO3-, pointing to a metabolic cause, not respiratory, making this choice incorrect for the ABG values.

Choice D reason: Respiratory alkalosis involves low PaCO2 (<35 mm Hg) and high pH. With PaCO2 at 44 mm Hg (normal) and high HCO3- (29 mEq/L), the alkalosis is metabolic, not respiratory. This choice doesn’t match the ABG profile, making it incorrect.

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A nurse is caring for a patient with decreased triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The nurse knows the patient is likely suffering from what?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and learns that it is a nonselective agonist. What does the nurse understand about this drug?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.48, PaCO2 44, HCO3- 29

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Name the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.31, PaCO2 44, HCO3- 12

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