Chapter 31: Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs

Chapter 31: Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient, newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, receives a prescription for a thyroid hormone replacement drug. The nurse assesses for which potential contraindication to this drug?

a.	Infection
b.	Diabetes mellitus
c.	Liver disease
d.	Recent myocardial infarction

 

 

ANS:  D

Contraindications to thyroid preparations include known drug allergy to a given drug product, recent myocardial infarction, adrenal insufficiency, and hyperthyroidism. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   p. 493

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A patient with hypothyroidism is given a prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid). When the nurse explains that this is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone, he states that he prefers to receive more “natural” forms of drugs. What will the nurse explain to him about the advantages of levothyroxine?

a.	It has a stronger effect than the natural forms.
b.	Levothyroxine is less expensive than the natural forms.
c.	The synthetic form has fewer adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
d.	The half-life of levothyroxine is long enough to permit once-daily dosing.

 

 

ANS:  D

One advantage of levothyroxine over the natural forms is that it can be administered only once a day because of its long half-life. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 493

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. The order reads, “Give levothyroxine (Synthroid), 200 mg, PO once every morning.” Which action by the nurse is correct?

a.	Give the medication as ordered.
b.	Change the dose to 200 mcg because that is what the prescriber meant.
c.	Hold the drug until the prescriber returns to see the patient.
d.	Question the order because the dose is higher than 200 mcg.

 

 

ANS:  D

Levothyroxine is dosed in micrograms. A common medication error is to write the intended dose in milligrams instead of micrograms. If not caught, this error would result in a thousandfold overdose. Doses higher than 200 mcg need to be questioned in case this error has occurred. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analyzing (Analysis)                     REF:   p. 494

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control

 

4. During a teaching session for a patient on antithyroid drugs, the nurse will discuss which dietary instructions?

a.	Using iodized salt when cooking
b.	Avoiding foods containing iodine
c.	Restricting fluid intake to 2500 mL/day
d.	Increasing intake of sodium- and potassium-containing foods

 

 

ANS:  B

Patients on antithyroid therapy need to avoid iodine-containing foods. These foods may interfere with the effectiveness of the antithyroid drug. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 496

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

5. A patient who is taking propylthiouracil (PTU) for hyperthyroidism wants to know how this medicine works. Which explanation by the nurse is accurate?

a.	It blocks the action of thyroid hormone.
b.	It slows down the formation of thyroid hormone.
c.	It destroys overactive cells in the thyroid gland.
d.	It inactivates already existing thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.

 

 

ANS:  B

Propylthiouracil impedes the formation of thyroid hormone but has no effect on already existing thyroid hormone. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   p. 494

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies