NURS150 WEEK 8 SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT: THYROID CONDITIONS
1. HYPERTHYROIDISM
1. List 3 things pertaining to Thyroid Gland
a. Location: anterior part of neck
b. Function: controls metabolism, growth, thyroxine production
c. Released Hormones:
2. Describe the following:
a. Goitre: Enlarged thyroid gland (seen in Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s
disease)
b. Exophthalmos: protrusion of eyeballs
3. What is the most common form of Hyperthyroidism? Briefly describe what
happens? Graves’ disease, autoimmune nature
Expected lab values:
TSH: low
T4: high
4. Classic Clinical Manifestations of Hyperthyroidism. Identify changes on the
body on the picture, if you know the Clinical Manifestations, it is easy to
identify appropriate Nursing Interventions accordingly.
GI manifestation: diarrhea
(No caffeine, high calories), heat intolerance, tachycardia
5. What are the three main primary forms of treatment for hyperthyroidism?
a. Medication (PTU, metimathazole, beta-blockers)
b. Radioactive iodine therapy
c. Thyroidectomy
6. What are pre-operative interventions for Thyroidectomy?
a. Vital signs
b.) Check electrolytes
c)weight
d.) Teach about the dressing in the neck postoperatively.
e) Teach deep breathing exercises, to prevent pneumonia
postoperatively.
f) Continue thyroid drugs(
7. What are post-operative interventions for Thyroidectomy? (ABC)
a. Assess every 2 hours for bleeding
b. Assess the level of hoarseness; this indicates laryngeal nerve
damage.
c. Keep oxygen, suction, and tracheal care kit ready in case of
emergency.
d. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms
e. Check for the presence of Trousseaus and Chvostek’s sign. (Assess
for tetany and hypocalcemia)
8. During the surgery, there is a chance of an injury of a neighboring gland:
parathyroid gland__________________
Monitor for signs of _____hypocalcemia_________ and __tetany__________, which
can be caused by trauma to the parathyroid gland.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
a. numbness and tingling around face and extremity
b. Positive Chvostek sign
c. Positive Trousseau sign (IV calcium gluconate: nursing
intervention)
d.
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e.
2. HYPOTHYROIDISM
9. Hypothyroidism is a state of __low/no_____levels of serum thyroid
hormones. Hypothyroidism may result from a number of causes but is
mainly caused by the following:
a.Surgical thyroidectomy
b.Radiation therapy
c.Hashimotos disease
10.. Expected lab values in Hypothyroidism:
TSH: high
T4: low
11. Classic Clinical Manifestations of Hyperthyroidism. Identify changes on the
body on the picture. If you know the Clinical Manifestations, it is easy to
identify appropriate Nursing Interventions accordingly.
Low temperature (Give blankets), Bradycardia, constipation
BONUS QUESTIONS:
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1. WHAT IS AN ACUTE AND LIFE-TREATING CONDITION THAT CAN OCCUR
IN PATIENTS WITH UNCONTROLLABLE HYPERTHYROIDISM?
Thyroid storm
2. WHAT IS AN ACUTE AND LIFE-TREATING CONDITION THAT CAN OCCUR
IN PATIENTS WITH UNCONTROLLABLE HYPOTHYROIDISM?
Myxedema coma
3. YOUR PATIENT IS BEING D/C HOME POST THYROIDECTOMY, WITH A
PRESCRIPTION OF LEVOTHYROXINE AND ASKING WHEN SHE WILL BE
ABLE TO STOP TAKING THIS MEDICATION? HOW DO YOU RESPOND?
Lifelong
L lifelong
E early morning
V vital signs
O okay with baby (safe during pregnancy)
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