A nurse is teaching about levothyroxine with a client who has primary hypothyroidism. Which of the following statements should the nurse use when teaching the client?
Symptoms improve immediately after starting the medication
The medication decreases the overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxine
Take this medication until your symptoms are gone and then discontinue
Tremors, nervousness, and insomnia may indicate your dose is too high
The Correct Answer is D
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bedrest post-liver biopsy prevents bleeding by reducing movement and pressure on the puncture site, a standard protocol, so this statement is correct.
Choice B reason: Lying on the right side, not left, applies pressure to the liver biopsy site (right upper quadrant), preventing bleeding. Left-side positioning is incorrect and risky.
Choice C reason: Stopping warfarin, an anticoagulant, a week prior reduces bleeding risk during biopsy, a necessary step, making this statement accurate and appropriate.
Choice D reason: Liver biopsy diagnoses cancer by examining tissue for malignant cells, confirming the procedure’s purpose, so this statement aligns with clinical intent.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hydroxychloroquine treats autoimmune diseases like lupus by modulating immunity, not hyperthyroidism’s excess thyroid hormone production, irrelevant here.
Choice B reason: Levothyroxine supplements thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism, worsening this patient’s hyperthyroidism (high T3/T4), contraindicated for her symptoms.
Choice C reason: Potassium iodide inhibits thyroid hormone release, reducing T3 and T4 in hyperthyroidism (e.g., Graves’), addressing her goiter, exophthalmos, and weight loss effectively.
Choice D reason: Methotrexate suppresses immunity in cancer or autoimmunity, not targeting thyroid overactivity or hormone levels, unsuitable for hyperthyroidism management.
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