Thyroid Study Guide Flashcards
When performing a physical examination of the thyroid gland, precautions are taken in performing the correct technique because palpation can result in:
An exacerbation of symptoms by releasing additional thyroid hormone
What is the hallmark finding of hyperthyroidism
Heat intolerance
What is one of the first signals of hyperthyroidism that is often noticed by a client?
Vision changes or tiring of the eyes
The clinical manifestation resulting from an increase in thyroid hormone production is known as?
Thyrotoxicosis
What is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease
What is exophthalmos?
Abnormal protrusion of the eye
Hat is pretibial myxedema?
Dry waxy swelling of front surface of lower extremities
What is eyelid retraction?
“Lid lag” - upper lid fails to descend when client gazes slowly downward
What is globe lag aka eyeball lag?
Upper lid pulls back faster than the eyeball when client gazes up
What interventions would a nurse teach a client to perform to help with dry eyes associated with exophalmus?
Take the eyes closed with non-allergenic tape
What is a thyroid storm?
An extreme state of hyperthyroidism that is life threatening
Comes on quickly and occurs in clients who are uncontrolled
What triggers a thyroid storm?
Stressors such as trauma, infection, DKA, pregnancy, vigorous palpation of goiter
what clinical manifestations would a nurse expect on assessment for a pt who is having a thyroid storm?
Fever
Tachycardia
Systolic HTN
N/V/D
Abnormal pain
Anxiety
Tremors
Restless
Confusion
Psychosis
Seizures
Coma
Mortality 25% even with treatment
Two priority problems for a patient with thyroid storm
Decreased cardiac output due to tachycardia
Hyperthermia
Interventions for decreased cardiac output
ABC’s:
Ventilation
O2 sat
VS
ECG
Teach to report chest pain or palpation
Avoid antithyroid drugs
Interventions for hyperthermia
Antipyretics
Cooling blanket
Frequent linen changes
Sponge baths
Rest
Quiet environment
Management of a client with hyperthyroidism involves:
Blocking the effect of excessive thyroid secretion
Treating the S/S the client experiences
Establishing euthyroid function
Function of tapazole
Prevents formation of new thyroid hormone by inhibiting binding of iodide
Adverse effects of tapazole
Hypothyroidism
Birth defects
Increased risk of infection
nursing implications for tapazole
Teach to take q8h
Remind women to notify HCP of pregnancy
Avoid crowds and people who are ill
Action of PTU
Inhibits thyroid binding with iodide
Prevents conversion of T4 to T3
Adverse effects of PTU
Hypothyroidism
Liver toxicity
Increased risk of infection
Nursing implications for PTU
Teach to take q8h
Report dark urine, jaundice, easy bruising
Check for weight gain, bradycardia, cold intolerance
Avoid crowds and people who are ill
Action of iodine preparations
Inhibitors thyroid release and resolves CV and other manifestations of hyperthyroidism
Not intended for long term therapy
Adverse effects of iodine preparations
Toxicity
Nursing implications for iodine preparations (symptoms of toxicity)
Check for fever, rash, sore throat, metal taste, mouth sores, GI distress
Action of lithium carbonate
Temporarily inhibits release of thyroid hormone
Adverse effects of lithium carbonate
Hypothyroidism
DI
N/V