Physical Exam of the Thyroid gland

Question 1

Which of the following muscles might need to be retracted to palpate the thyroid lobes?
A. sternohyoid
B. sternothyroid
C. thyrohyoid
D. sternocleidomastoid

Answer 1

D.

Question 2

Which of the following PE findings is compatible with hyperthyroidism?
A. BMI of 17.4
B. thinning of lateral eyebrows
C. body temp. of 35.2 degrees celsius
D. dry skin

Answer 2

A.

Question 3

Which of the following PE findings is compatible with hypothyroidism? 
A. pulse pressure of 60 mmHg
B. moist, velvety skin
C. hung-up deep tendon reflex
D.presence of thyroid bruit

Answer 3

C.

Question 4

What are the hormones secreted by the thyroid gland?

Answer 4

triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4)

Question 5

What are the symptoms of a patient with thyrotoxicosis?

Answer 5

heat intolerance, weakness, shortness of breath, dysphagia, nervousness, weight loss, hair changes

Question 6

A hung-up deep tendon reflex can usually be observed in a patient with hypothyroidism. (T/F)

Answer 6

T

Question 7

What is “Hamburger Thyrotoxicosis”?

Answer 7

abnormal elevation of thyroid hormones observed in people who frequently ate beef which included the thyroid glands of cows

Question 8

What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?

Answer 8

symptom - subjective manifestation of a disease described by the patient
sign - physical manifestation of a disease observed during a physical examination

Question 9

Is heavy menstrual bleeding is associated with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism?

Answer 9

hypothyroidism

Question 10

A patient with wide pulse pressure most likely has hypothyroidism. (T/F)

Answer 10

F

Question 11

Which of the following is not included in the thyroid physical exam?
A. inspection
B. palpation
C. percussion
D. auscultation

Answer 11

C.

Question 12

What is lagopthalmos?

Answer 12

inability to completely close the eyelids

Question 13

What should be the position of the patient during the anterior approach of inspection?

Answer 13

seated or standing in a comfortable position with the neck in a neutral position or slightly extended

Question 14

What is goiter?

Answer 14

any visible enlargement of the thyroid gland

Question 15

What should be the position of the patient during the anterior approach of inspection?

Answer 15

seated or standing in a comfortable position with the neck in a neutral position or slightly extended

Question 16

What should be observed during the lateral approach of inspection?

Answer 16

contour from the cricoid cartilage to the suprasternal notch (normally should be straight and smooth)

Question 17

What should be the position of the patient’s neck during the anterior approach of palpation?

Answer 17

slightly flexed forward to relax the SCM

Question 18

Is heavy menstrual bleeding is associated with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism?

Answer 18

hypothyroidism

Question 19

What is the general consistency of the thyroid in Graves’ disease upon palpation?

Answer 19

soft and doughy

Question 20

Based on the WHO revised classification of Goiter, a thyroid gland that is palpable but not visible when the neck is in the normal position is given what grade?

Answer 20

Grade 1

Question 21

What is Plummer’s disease?

Answer 21

multinodular toxic goiter with symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Question 22

Is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis characterized as solitary, multinodular, or diffuse?

Answer 22

can be any of the above