Thyroid Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Question 1

What is a common symptom experienced by individuals with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)?

Accepted Answer

Unintentional weight loss

Answer

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Answer

Difficulty with bowel movements (constipation)

Answer

Sensitivity to cold temperatures

Question 2

Which clinical manifestation is most commonly associated with hyperthyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Cold intolerance

Answer

Constipation

Question 3

A client presents with symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including tachycardia, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Which laboratory test would most confirm this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Low serum TSH

Answer

High serum TSH

Answer

Low serum T4

Answer

High serum calcitonin

Question 4

Antithyroid drugs are commonly prescribed as first-line treatment for which thyroid disorder?

Accepted Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Thyroiditis

Answer

Thyroid cancer

Question 5

Which characteristic increases the likelihood of a thyroid nodule being malignant?

Accepted Answer

Solitary, hard nodule

Answer

Multiple, soft nodules

Answer

Nodule with surrounding inflammation

Answer

Nodule that has decreased in size over time

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of radioactive iodine therapy in the management of thyroid cancer?

Accepted Answer

To eradicate cancerous thyroid tissue

Answer

To stimulate thyroid hormone production

Answer

To reduce inflammation of the thyroid gland

Answer

To prevent recurrence of thyroid cancer

Question 7

Which type of thyroid surgery involves removal of the entire thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Thyroidectomy

Answer

Hemithyroidectomy

Answer

Lobectomy

Answer

Isthmectomy

Question 8

Which hormone is produced primarily by the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Thyroxine (T4)

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Insulin

Question 9

Which diagnostic test is commonly used to evaluate thyroid function and visualize the thyroid gland's structure?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid scan

Answer

CT scan

Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 10

The primary mechanism of action of antithyroid drugs, such as methimazole, is to:

Accepted Answer

Decrease thyroid hormone synthesis

Answer

Increase thyroid hormone synthesis

Answer

Stimulate TSH production

Answer

Inhibit TSH production

Question 11

A potential adverse effect of radioactive iodine therapy used to treat hyperthyroidism is:

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Question 12

The primary goal of nursing care for a patient experiencing thyroid storm, a life-threatening condition, is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain hemodynamic stability (blood pressure and heart rate)

Answer

Reduce body temperature

Answer

Administer antipsychotics

Answer

Provide nutritional support

Question 13

A patient's TSH level is 0.01 mIU/L, and their free T4 level is 1.8 ng/dL. Based on these results, the patient is most likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Primary hyperthyroidism

Answer

Secondary hyperthyroidism

Answer

Primary hypothyroidism

Answer

Secondary hypothyroidism

Question 14

Which of the following medications is a beta-blocker commonly used to manage rapid heart rate (tachycardia) in hyperthyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Diuretics

Question 15

Which type of thyroid disorder is the most prevalent in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Thyroid nodules

Answer

Thyroid cancer

Question 16

Weight gain is a characteristic clinical manifestation associated with:

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Thyroid nodules

Answer

Thyroid cancer

Question 17

Which laboratory test is considered the primary indicator of thyroid function?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Free thyroxine (FT4)

Answer

Triiodothyronine (T3)

Answer

Thyroglobulin

Question 18

Levothyroxine is used in replacement therapy for which thyroid disorder?

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Thyroid nodules

Answer

Thyroid cancer

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential side effect of methimazole?

Accepted Answer

Agranulocytosis

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 20

Which imaging modalities are commonly used together to evaluate thyroid nodules?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration (FNA)

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 21

Papillary cells in a cytological examination suggest the presence of:

Accepted Answer

Papillary thyroid cancer

Answer

Follicular thyroid cancer

Answer

Hurthle cell thyroid cancer

Answer

Benign colloid nodule

Question 22

Which of the following is a characteristic clinical manifestation of hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Dry skin and brittle nails

Answer

Weight loss and muscle weakness

Answer

Increased heart rate and body temperature

Answer

Hyperactivity and anxiety

Question 23

What is the primary function of thyroid hormone?

Accepted Answer

To regulate metabolism and growth

Answer

To control blood pressure and heart rate

Answer

To stimulate the immune system

Answer

To promote bone formation

Question 24

What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Levothyroxine

Answer

Propylthiouracil

Answer

Iodine uptake inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Question 25

What is the pathophysiological mechanism underlying Graves' disease?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of thyroid hormone receptors by antibodies

Answer

Decreased production of TSH

Answer

Autoimmune destruction of thyroid follicles

Answer

Abnormal regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis

Question 26

What is the term for a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Gestational hyperthyroidism

Answer

Subclinical hypothyroidism

Answer

Thyroiditis

Answer

Hashimoto's disease

Question 27

What is the preferred imaging modality for evaluating thyroid nodules?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Question 28

Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Answer

Prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH)

Answer

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

Answer

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Question 29

A 45-year-old patient presents with a diffuse, symmetrical, nontender goiter and elevated serum TSH levels. Which of the following is the most probable diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Answer

Graves' disease

Answer

Thyroid cancer

Answer

Nodular goiter

Question 30

Which class of drugs is primarily used to treat hyperthyroidism, reducing the production of thyroid hormones?

Accepted Answer

Thionamides (e.g., methimazole, propylthiouracil)

Answer

Antithyroid drugs (e.g., levothyroxine)

Answer

Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, atenolol)

Answer

Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)

Question 31

Which of the following clinical manifestations is commonly associated with hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Weight gain

Answer

Heat intolerance

Answer

Increased heart rate

Answer

Short stature

Question 32

What is the principal physiological function of thyroid hormones?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of metabolism

Answer

Glucose transport

Answer

Calcium homeostasis

Answer

Water reabsorption

Question 33

Which characteristic of a thyroid nodule is most strongly associated with an increased risk of malignancy?

Accepted Answer

Solitary

Answer

Nodular

Answer

Multinodular

Answer

Isthmus

Question 34

Which laboratory test is commonly used to assess thyroid function by measuring the concentration of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)?

Accepted Answer

Serum TSH

Answer

Thyroid ultrasound

Answer

MRI

Answer

Biopsy

Question 35

What is the surgical procedure to remove the thyroid gland called?

Accepted Answer

Thyroidectomy

Answer

Parathyroidectomy

Answer

Tracheotomy

Answer

Laryngectomy

Question 36

Which of the following nursing interventions is appropriate for a patient with hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Monitor for cardiac arrhythmias, especially bradycardia.

Answer

Administer radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid tissue.

Answer

Encourage regular exercise to increase metabolic rate.

Answer

Restrict fluids to prevent edema.

Question 37

Which of the following is a potential complication of Graves' disease?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid storm, a life-threatening condition with severe hyperthyroidism.

Answer

Hypocalcemia, decreased calcium levels in the blood.

Answer

Renal failure, impaired kidney function.

Answer

Addison's disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands.

Question 38

A patient presents with fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Their thyroid function tests reveal low levels of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) and an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Which of the following conditions is most likely the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Thyroiditis

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Question 39

A patient with Graves' disease is being treated with methimazole. Which of the following adverse effects is a serious concern that the nurse should monitor for?

Accepted Answer

Agranulocytosis

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Hypertension

Question 40

A patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis presents with a goiter. What is the underlying pathophysiology of the goiter in this condition?

Accepted Answer

The autoimmune destruction of thyroid tissue leads to a compensatory increase in thyroid hormone production, resulting in goiter formation.

Answer

Inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by a viral infection.

Answer

Excessive thyroid hormone production due to a benign tumor.

Question 41

Which of the following diagnostic tests is most useful in confirming the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression test

Answer

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Answer

Thyroid scan

Answer

Thyroid ultrasound

Question 42

A patient with thyrotoxicosis is experiencing rapid heart rate, palpitations, and tremors. Which of the following medications is most appropriate for immediate symptom management?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Radioactive iodine

Answer

Levothyroxine

Answer

Methimazole

Question 43

A patient with a history of thyroid cancer is being monitored for recurrence. Which of the following imaging studies is most sensitive for detecting thyroid cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid ultrasound

Answer

CT scan

Answer

MRI

Answer

Thyroid scan

Question 44

A patient with hypothyroidism is being treated with levothyroxine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide regarding medication administration?

Accepted Answer

Take the medication on an empty stomach in the morning.

Answer

Take the medication at bedtime.

Answer

Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.

Question 45

A patient with thyroid nodules is undergoing a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. What is the primary purpose of this procedure?

Accepted Answer

To obtain cells for microscopic examination to determine if the nodules are benign or malignant.

Answer

To drain fluid from the nodules.

Answer

To remove the thyroid nodules.

Question 46

A patient with hypothyroidism is experiencing fatigue and depression. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate to address these symptoms, in addition to managing their underlying condition?

Accepted Answer

Encourage regular exercise and adequate sleep.

Answer

Refer the patient to a psychiatrist.

Answer

Administer antidepressants.

Answer

Increase the dose of levothyroxine.