Graves Disease

Question 1

What is Graves disease?

Answer 1

Autoimmune disease

Question 2

How does Graves disease begin?

Answer 2

Cells outside thyroid activate

Question 3

What causes the increase in thyroid hormone in Graves disease?

Answer 3

TSI (sometimes called TSH receptor antibody) attaches to thyroid cells. TSI mimics TSH and stimulates thyroid too produce too much hormone.

Question 4

In Graves, thyroid produces excessive amounts of?

Answer 4

T3 & T4

Question 5

Most common form of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 5

Graves disease; 50-80% of cases of hyperthyroidism

Question 6

Cause of Graves?

Answer 6

Unknown

Question 7

Graves results from?

Answer 7

Type II hypersensitivity

Question 8

When does thyroid storm occur?

Answer 8

When Graves is not treated

Question 9

S/S of thyroid storm?

Answer 9

Severe symptoms of palpitations, irregular HR, HF, fever, shock, confusion, death

Question 10

Risk factors for Graves?

Answer 10

Genetics, females, 20+ years or older, environmental factors

Question 11

What is TSI?

Answer 11

Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin; overrides normal regulatory mechanisms

Question 12

Abnormal TSH?

Answer 12

Below 0.1 mcg/mL

Question 13

Best indicator of primary hyperthyroidism?

Answer 13

TSH DAWG

Question 14

TSH levels are measured and compared with?

Answer 14

T4 levels to differentiate pituitary from thyroid dysfunction

Question 15

What does T3 measure?

Answer 15

Bound & free forms of thyroid hormone

Question 16

What does T4 measure?

Answer 16

TH concentration & tests thyroid gland function

Question 17

What nursing interventions would decrease S/S or complications of Graves?

Answer 17

Elevate HOB, limit salt intake, exercise eye muscles, evaluate visual activity, don’t smoke, improve symptoms, slow production of thyroid hormone, give eyedrops, tinted glasses like John Lennon